Pakistan vs Sri Lanka – Chance for both teams to bank on youth

Test series preview: Sri Lanka v Pakistan at UAE (Neutral Venue) >

Pakistan is ‘hosting’ Sri Lanka for a full series at the neutral venue of United Arab Emirates. Last time these two teams contested in a Test series was in Sri Lanka in 2009 where hosts thumped Pakistan 2-0.
Over-all Pakistan has had the upper hand over Sri Lanka in Test cricket, winning more matches and more series in nose-to-nose encounters. Pakistan has won 15 and lost 9 Tests against them in all matches between them.
 
Pakistan has played most Tests against Sri Lanka (37) and have also won the most (15) among all nations. Pakistan has won 8 matches to Sri Lanka’s 6 at home, while the only previous Test at neutral venue too was won by them, at Sharjah in the Asian Test Championship in 1999.

In the Tests played in Sri Lanka, again Pakistan has had better of Sri Lanka, winning 6 and losing just 3. But since 1995, the equation has become somewhat evened out. Sri Lanka has, quite remarkably, dominated Pakistan in their backyard, winning 6 against just 3 matches by the hosts. And Pakistan, on the other had, won more against them at their home but the margin has decreased from 6-3 to 3-2.

Of late Sri Lanka has been a far better team than Pakistan, as currently they are the 5^th ranked team in Tests. They were in the top 3 not long ago, but the retirement of the champion bowler Muttiah Muralitharan coincided with their decline. Pakistan have lurked at number 6 or thereabouts for quite some time now.

Both teams are not settled units yet. Pakistan though has better bowling attack, they have a brittle batting line up. Their opening pair has been their Achilles' heel for more than a decade now. Taufeeq Umar and Mohammad Hafeez are contributing but still they have to travel some distance before they match a pair like Amir Sohail and Saeed Anwar, Pakistan’s last successful opening pair.

The middle order has struggled to give Pakistan decent totals ever since the retirement of Inzamam-ul-Haq and exclusion of Mohammad Yousuf from the team. Younis Khan has carried the burden admirably, but has found little support at the other end on a consistent basis.

Misbah-ul-Haq has emerged as a reliable and gritty customer. Burden of captaincy seems to have affected his batting positively as his recent record suggests, which is remarkable. Pakistan has found a potential gem in the shape of Azhar Ali. He looks a solid and reliable bat; although yet to score a hundred he has 9 fifties so far in his short career.

Umar Akmal, once touted as the next big thing after Inzamam, has been omitted. He has been asked, and rightly so, to improve his attitude and learn how to play long innings by participating in the on-going Quaid-e-Azam trophy.

With the inclusion of Shoaib Malik in the side, future of another promising batsman, Asad Shafiq is on line once again. In whatever limited opportunities he got, Asad has shown promise to become a solid Test batsman. Selectors have erred by including tried-and-tested failures like Shoaib and Imran Farhat in the squad.

While selectors have moved two steps ahead by including some good and deserving youngsters, they have taken a step back by giving the likes of Malik and Farhat another chance. It is hoped that better sense will prevail and Asad Shafiq is selected in the playing eleven, ahead of Malik. Malik, on the other hand, has another chance to resurrect his Test career. Imran Farhat too will like to grab the opportunity with both hands.
The wicket-keeping slot is another headache for the Team Pakistan. After Kamran Akmal, who largely played due to his batting prowess rather than keeping skills, Pakistan has yet to find a proper keeper who can bat as well as keep. Kamran’s younger brother Adnan Akmal has done well but he does not look to be a long-term solution.

The bowling line-up, though inexperienced at Test level, is more than a decent one. Umar Gul and Wahab Riaz have returned as expected after being rested for the Zimbabwe tour. Umar Gul has enough experience now to spearhead the Test attack. He needs to come out of the ODI mindset and should bowl on a consistent length with aggressive intent.

Wahab Riaz has been impressive so far since taking a 5-fer on debut in England last year. Discipline is his problem as he tends to spray the ball around but once in a groove he can prove to be handful. 

Tanvir Ahmed, another who made an impressive though belated debut, has been overlooked and his place is taken by Aizaz Bin Ilyas Cheema who has the same age and wicket-taking ability. He impressed all by his aggression in Zimbabwe. Junaid Khan may have to sit out but is a good replacement in case a need arises.

There are no worries in the spin department for Pakistan. Saeed Ajmal is probably the best exponent of the doosra and is not far behind Graeme Swann as far as spin bowling is concerned. Abdur Rehman is a canny left arm spinner and in UAE pitches can be added in tandem with Ajmal.

Test Squad: Misbah-ul-Haq (C), Abdur Rehman, Aizaz Cheema, Adnan Akmal, Asad Shafeeq, Azhar Ali, Imran Farhat, Junaid Khan, Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Taufeeq Umar, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Younis Khan

Likely Eleven: Hafeez, Taufeeq, Azhar, Younis, Misbah (C), Shoaib Malik/Asad Shafiq, Adnan Akmal, Wahab, Umar Gul, Ajmal, Cheema


Sri Lanka’s batting is their main strength. In Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara they have two world-class batsmen who can take the game away from the opposition in one partnership.

Tillakaratne Dilshan’s batting has gone down since he took over as captain, partly the reason he has dropped himself down the order. His aggression can take Pakistan by surprise and give them real headache in the middle order.

Angelo Mathews’s batting in the recently concluded home series against Australia has given a new shape and strength to Sri Lankan batting. He is improving as an all-rounder day by day and his future looks bright. Thirimanne and Paranavitana will form the opening pair, but the real strength will come down the order.

Dinesh Chandimal and keeper Prasanna are talented batsmen and Sri Lanka will hope they come good to relieve some burden off Sangakkara and Mahela. After a string of poor performances, Thilan Samaraweera has been shown the door.

They have selected as many as five pace bowlers but all are inexperienced and young at this level. Lakmal looked by far the best hope and will form the pace attack alongside Chanaka Welegedera and Prasad. Shaminda Eranga looked impressive on debut against Australia but unfortunately is out due to injury.

After Murali, Sri Lanka had high hopes on Ajantha Mendis but he is out injured for the series. Rangana Herath has comes leaps and bounds in the last two years and will be their trump card. Pakistani batsmen historically have struggled against left arm spin. Suraj Randiv and Dilshan are there to assist him.

Pakistan showed real fight when they were last here for the Test series against South Africa, drawing both the matches. The series may well be decided on the outcome of the battle between Pakistan’s bowlers and Sri Lankan batsmen.

Sri Lanka, under new coach Geoff Marsh would look to begin a fresh journey up the Test ladder, while Pakistan will hope to continue their progress in a positive fashion.

Test Squad: Tillakaratne Dilshan, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Nuwan Pradeep, Rangana Herath, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Prasanna Jayawardene, Suraj Randiv, Kosala Kulasekara, Suranga Lakmal, Tharanga Paranavitana, Dhammika Prasad, Kaushal Silva, Lahiru Thirimanne, Chanaka Welegedera

Likely Eleven: Paranavitana, Thirimanne, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan (C), Angelo Mathews, Prasanna Jayawardene, Dhammika Prasad, Rangana Herath, Chanaka Welegedera, Suranga Lakmal


Prediction: Pakistan 1-1 Sri Lanka