Pakistan vs http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758: 3rd ODI - Match Preview
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/United-Arab-Emirates-c3033 (UAE). The third ODI will be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium
today, Friday November 18.
The series is currently tied at 1-1 and both Pakistan and Sri Lanka would be eager to take an advantage in the five-match series by winning today’s game.
Pakistan, after winning the three-match Test series 1-0, won the opening game of the ODI series at the same Dubai venue quite convincingly by eight wickets. The Lankans made a fighting comeback in the series by winning the second ODI by 25 runs on Monday,
earlier this week. It was Sri Lanka’s first win on the tour.
Pakistan have been impressive on the tour right from the start, and the 25-run defeat at the hands of Lankans earlier this week was a severe jolt for the Men in Green, who are rated as the most improved Pakistan team in the recent times.
The bowling attack of Pakistan has a colourful variety, ranging from veteran leg-spinner Shahid Afridi to the rookie pacer Junaid Khan, sitting on the benches.
The return of Shahid Afridi and Abdul Razzaq has not only strengthened the bowling attack of Pakistan but also the lower order of their batting line up. The top-order however, still remains a cause of concern for Misbah-ul-Haq, as Pakistan still lacks a
hard hitting and quick scoring batsman at the top.
Misbah and Younis, though provide strength to the middle-order with their experience, their batting style does not suit the fast moving One-Day formt. Afridi and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Razzaq-c84421 both have performed up in the order quite successfully in the past, but the Pakistan
management seems a bit reluctant in assigning that role to them. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Umar-Akmal-c94595 however, could be tested at the number three position and the Pakistan management should think over it.
The second ODI not only saw Sri Lanka breaking the winless streak, but also marked a return to form for the experienced batsman Mahela Jayawardene. His comeback to form would be a huge boost for the Lankans, who have been struggling since Tillakaratne Dilshan
took over.
Lasith Malinga was exceptional in Sri Lanka’s 25-run win, and Dilshan must be hoping him to remain consistent in the remainder of the series.
Pakistan is expected to play an unchanged squad from the past game, barring injuries. However, the Pakistani management can consider Junaid Khan’s inclusion into the squad, keeping in view his good show in Tests and Sri Lanka’s improved batting performance
in Monday’s ODI.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/UWMBCA-Welegedara-c2735. Since Lakmal is all set to return home with the injury, Welegedera is likely to make the Lankan playing XI once again.
Playing XI:
Pakistan (probable): 1 http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mohammad-Junaid-Khan-c77037.
Sri Lanka (probable): 1 http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Seekkuge-Prasanna-c89140, 11 Dilhara
Fernando.
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