Sri Lanka aim for elusive test win (Preview)

For cricket lovers across the globe-sub-continent in specific-Sharjah cricket stadium is part of their indelible memories. Over the years, Sharjah- addressed as oasis of cricket-has played hosts to number of high voltage encounters and unparalleled individual brilliance. So much so, the historic stadium found its place in the Guinness Book of World Records for hosting 200 ODI’s before being forced into oblivion.

For different reasons, international cricket wasn’t possible at the ground for all of nine years. With Pakistan forced to play at neutral grounds, cricket is back in Sharjah as Pakistan take on Sri Lanka in all important third and final test.

Pakistan lead the series 1-0 having scored an emphatic victory in the second match ad Dubai. The hosts are a confident unit having dominated both the games thus far and will be keen to continue on their good form.

For Sri Lanka, the two games have given them enough indications of how badly they are missing legendary Muthaih Muralitharan. Post ace off-spinner’s retirement, the island nation hasn’t won a single test match, and, more or less, has been dominated by their opponents.

In contrary Pakistan have shown enough character, resilience and more importantly talent post match fixing saga to which it lost its three premier players. The team management would want to make sure that after that Southwark Crown Court finding the trio guilty that could possibly land them in the jail doesn’t affect mental setup of their squad. They would want their wards to avoid the news and put their best foot forward on the cricket field.

Pakistan have a great chance to win a test series against a major team. A draw can do it for them. As already vouched by skipper Misbah-ul Haq, the side is going for the kill and will have a 2-0 scoreline in the mind instead of a draw.

To their credit, they have played some fantastic cricket in the series. The fast bowling duo of Junaid Khan and Umar has been phenomenal and offie Saeed Ajmal has been posing all kinds of problems to the Lankan batters. His fifer in the second innings of the last game was reward for consistently having batsmen dancing to his tunes.

In batting, Azhar Ali has been rock solid, Mohammad Hafeez at the top has given his team flying starts and his partner Taufeeq Umar also looks in the fine knick. Senior pros Misbah and Younis have also been amongst runs and Asad Shafiq and wicketkeeper Adnan Akmal too have contributed to the winning cause.

The Lankan side has problems of plenty. With their toothless bowling unit, they don’t seem to have in them to take 20 Pakistan wickets on a batting friendly Sharjah surface. Sri Lanka might be prompted to bring in extra spinner-Suraj Randiv most likely-into playing eleven at the expense of a quickie.

What is ailing the Lankan side is the fact that their batting unit has clicked. Barring Kumar Sangakkara, rest of the team has failed to thwart Pakistan’s spirited bowling attack. Mahela Jayewardene hasn’t looked anywhere near his best, skipper T Dilshan keeps falling to rash strokes and young openers haven’t been able to dominate upfront.

For Sri Lanka to draw level the series, their big guns need to fire with the bat. And, bowlers have to find a way to stop Pakistan from posting huge first innings totals.

As cricket returns to Sharjah, two Asian giants will be keen to make it a riveting comeback.

Pakistan Squad: Mohammad Hafeez, Taufeeq Umar, Imran Farhat, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Asad Shafiq, Adnan Akmal (wk), Shoaib Malik, Saeed Ajmal, Abdur Rehman, Aizaz Cheema, Wahab Raiz, Umar Gul, Junaid Khan

Sri Lanka Squad: Tillakaratne Dilshan (Capt), Angelo Mathews, Tharanga Paranavitana, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayewardene, Prasanna Jayewardene (wk), Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Rangana Herath, Suraj Randiv, Chanaka Welegedara, Suranga Lakmal, Kosala Kulasekara, Dammika Prasad, Nuwan Pradeep, Kaushal Silva (wk).