http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 – 1st Test - Match Preview
The three-match Test series between Sri Lanka and Pakistan is going to start today at Galle, with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mohammad-Hafeez-c76898 leading the Men in Green in place of regular skipper Misbah ul Haq. After levelling the T20 series and winning the One Day Internationals (ODIs) by a margin of 3-1, the home team will start as favourites in the longer version of the sport as well, despite Pakistan's recent record in the longest format.
The ODI series was badly hampered by rain and more bad weather is expected in the Galle Test. The Sri Lankan cricket officials have already been massively criticised for their poor planning and scheduling, and both players and fans will be hoping the longer version of the tour remains undisturbed.
The Green Shirts started the tour with a psychological edge over the Islanders, as they defeated Sri Lanka in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/United-Arab-Emirates-c3033 (UAE) in all three formats of the game. The momentum however, has clearly shifted towards the home team as the Pakistanis look jolted after their dramatic losses in the fourth and the fifth ODI.
After being named the Player of the Series, 23-year-old all-rounder, Thisara Perera, has been included in the Test squad. In his short career so far, the medium-fast bowler has struggled to make an impression in the longer version of the sport. However, his recent dominance over the Pakistani batsmen can force the selectors to give him another go in Tests.
Since the last year, Sri Lanka has not done that well in the longest format, having been beaten by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013 earlier this year but their performance was not that convincing.
The seasoned middle-order batsman believes that while the team has been working very hard, results have not gone in their favour; however, he hopes for a turnaround in the upcoming Test series.
The Sri Lankan skipper understands Pakistan is a formidable side and his team will have to play out of their skin to dismantle the Green Shirts.
"We've played some really good cricket, but we didn't have anything to show for it; it has been a lot of hard work in the last 12 months for us, and hopefully we continue to improve as a team. The Test series is always going to be big challenge, but winning is a good habit to have so hopefully we can continue this momentum. We have some experienced players coming in for the Tests,” said Jayawardene.
Pakistan, on the other hand, have gone through a lot of problems during the on-going tour. They faced another blow as their prolific Test captain, Misbah ul Haq, was banned for the Galle Test because of a slow over-rate in the final ODI.
It remains to be seen whether the tour management decides to trust http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mohammad-Ayub-c76805 for the middle-order spot, which is vacant after Misbah’s suspension.
Once again, Pakistan will be banking on their spin bowling duo of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Abdur-Rehman-c41691 to make a difference.
Former Pakistani leg-spinner, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Abdul-Qadir-c41605, has rated Pakistan favourites to win the Test series, given their recent performances in the longest format, especially against the world no.1 side, England.
“I believe this team has potential to win the three Test series against Lankan team,” Abdul Qadir expressed.
If the weather holds, fans are sure to be in for a competitive Test series which is expected to feature a tough battle between the Sri Lankan batsmen and Pakistani spinners.
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