http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Misbah-ul-Haq-c1972, Mahela Jayawardene, Upul Tharanga look to star in ICC 2011 World Cup Colombo fixture
In a clash of two Subcontinent giants, Sri Lanka takes on Pakistan in an all important Group A match at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on February 26.
There has been a lot to choose between the two teams, as Pakistan has never lost a World Cup game against Sri Lanka. Last time around these two teams met, was in the Asia Cup, where Sri Lanka came out as victors.
Pakistan’s worries have been their opening combination, as the opening pair recorded single digit scores against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Kenya-c752.
However, the middle and lower-middle order looks solid, as it houses key players such as Umar Akmal, Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, has a devastating opening combination in the shape of Tillakaratne Dilshan and Upul Tharanga. This pair can tear apart any opposition attack in the world.
The conditions will favour the batsmen from both the sides, as the pitch is a bit slower and doesn’t have variable bounce. However, it assists the spinners as the ball gets old.
Misbah-ul-Haq
Misbah-ul-Haq has been in the form of his life, as across all formats, he has collected nine half-centuries in his last 12 innings. He is the gel around whom the middle-order revolves. He puts up determined batting efforts and anchors his team to a position of strength, when in a troublesome situation.
Misbah’s batting technique is based around simple principles such as playing from the crease, slanting his front-foot across the stumps, and striking the ball with a straight bat. Sometimes, lazy footwork and reverse-sweeps have brought about his downfall.
He was one of the highlights of Pakistan’s batting against Kenya, as he scored a half-century on his World Cup debut. His knock will be crucial for his team, as in the middle overs, he plays spin with authority.
Umar Akmal
The talented, Umar Akmal, is one of the rising stars of Pakistani cricket. He has been tipped as a potential great by many cricketing experts. Umar is a ray of hope in Pakistan’s shaky batting line-up, whose batting talent can shoulder heavy burdens.
In his short career, he has amassed 949 runs at an impressive average of 35.73, including a century against Sri Lanka. More importantly, his 87-run per 100 balls strike-rate shows the skill of Akmal’s blazing bat and aggressive mindset. He remains a vital cog against the home side, as Pakistan will look to him for a spark in the middle overs.
Mahela Jayawardene
Sri Lanka’s best batsmen, Mahela Jayawardene, will be fresh from a World Cup century against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Canada-c748. The right-handed striker played some dazzling strokes and delighted the Hambantota crowd with his wide range of shot-play.
In the start of his innings, he milks the opposition bowlers for ones and twos and helps others to play around him. He plays with a straight bat and if the situation demands, he can hammer bowling attacks at will. Sri Lanka will look to their premier batsman to provide them with a solid innings.
Upul Tharanga
Upul Tharanga is a touch player and his batting technique is a great personification of timing and placement. Tharanga’s strokes are an absolute delight to watch, and if one has to pick his trademark shot, it is definitely his back-foot drive through the covers.
As an opening batsman, he has a tremendous record, scoring 3522 runs at an average of 34 with a best of 120. His tally of runs includes nine centuries, and seven of them have been made for winning causes. He will be determined to provide his team with a rollicking start against Pakistan.
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