Sri Lanka v Pakistan: 3rd Test – Match Preview
Sri Lanka would be eager to square the three-match Test series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 1-1 when they play Misbah-ul-Haq and his men in the third and the final Test of the series, scheduled to be played at Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium, Sharjah, on Thursday,
November 03, 2011.
After a drawn first Test in Abu Dhabi, Pakistan scripted a convincing nine-wicket over Sri Lanka in the second match of the series in Dubai last week to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
The Lankans have struggled with their batting so far in the series as the side failed to cross the 300-run scoreline in three of their four innings played so far. The promising Pakistan attack bundled the opposition batting line up for just 197 in their
first innings of the Abu Dhabi Test before restricting the Lankans to 239 and 257 in their first and second innings of the Dubai Test respectively.
'Our batting has let us down but we have worked really very hard and we have talked a lot about that and I hope three four guys stand up and turn these 20-30 into hundreds because first innings is important in Tests,” said the right-arm off-spinner who himself
has failed to impress with the bat in the ongoing Test series.
Dilshan scored 19, nine, seven and three runs in the four innings of the series he has played so far. However, the 35-year-old opening batsman was hopeful of a turnaround.
This would be Dilshan’s ninth Test match as the Sri Lankan cricket team's captain and the all-rounder is still searching for his maiden Test win as the skipper.
The Pakistan cricket team’s interim coach had also urged his side to go into the final Test with a positive frame of mind and with an aim to win the game.
“...we want to go into the third Test in a positive frame of mind,” said http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mohsin-c77587 while talking to the media reporters on Monday. “We will go for a win in Sharjah and will not go there looking to sit on our one series lead," he added further.
This would be the first time Sharjah will be hosting a Test match since 2002. The last Test played at the venue was between Pakistan and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 in October 2002. A maximum temperature of about 31 degrees is expected at Sharjah.
Pakistan coach http://www.senore.com/Cricket/TM-Dilshan-c2691 has observed a tinge of green on the pitch.
Pakistan are unlikely to make any change to their playing XI from the nine-wicket win at Dubai; however the islanders were reportedly considering uncapped pacer Kosala Kulasekara for the Sharjah Test at the cost of opener http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Hettige-Don-Rumesh-Lahiru-Thirimanne-c63124.
Pakistan (likely): 1 http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mohammad-Junaid-Khan-c77037
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/HMRKB-Herath-c1559,
10 Chanaka Welegedera, 11 http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ranasinghe-Arachchige-Suranga-Lakmal-c83928
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