Sri Lanka vs Pakistan – A sizzling Test series is expected under the scorching sun

Test series preview: Pakistan wary of batting collapses, as Sri Lanka search a series win sans Murali

Pakistan went into the ODI series as favourites but ended up on the losing side and badly exposed. They again are slightly favourites for the 3-Test series but have lost their captain for the first Test and the batting looks fragile once again. Sri Lanka, under the able captaincy of Mahela Jayawardene, are more confident of the two sides.

Misbah is serving a one-Test ban for slow over rate in the last ODI. In his absence, Mohammad Hafeez will lead the side for the first time in Tests. It will be a test for his character as Misbah has had an amazing run as Test captain. Misbah’s absence will hurt two fold; as a captain and as a middle order batsman. The middle-order gives even a thinner look in his absence.

Younis Kahn failed miserably in the ODIs and has a lot to prove especially when Misbah is out. There is no doubt about his credentials as Test batsman but he has to not only bat long but has to take the youngsters along as well. The opening pair is settled although Hafeez is short on confidence. Taufeeq Umar, being the sole left-hander, needs to bat deep to negate the threat of left-armer Rangana Herath.

Pakistan will rely heavily on Azhar Ali who is fast becoming lynchpin of Pakistan batting. He is in good form after scoring runs in the ODI series and this series may give us best of his batting prowess. There are four candidates for the next two batting spots; Asad Shafiq, Faisal Iqbal, Ayub Dogar and Afaq Rahim. Asad has dome enough to merit an automatic place at number 5, but Faisal and Dogar are fighting for the number 6 slot. Although Iqbal has experience, Ayub Dogar’s run of domestic form may open doors of Test cricket for him.

Sri Lanka’s batting is their strength. With legends like Mahela and Kumar Sangakkara in the side, they look a strong and settled batting unit. Thilan Samaraweera has always scored heavily against Pakistan. Dilshan and Paranvitana make a solid opening pair.  Angelo Mathews and Prasanna Jayawardene extend the batting to number 7. If they decide to play second all-rounder Thissara Perera as well then Kulasekara will have to sit out.

Pakistan's main weapon will be their spin attack. The trio of Saeed Ajmal, Abdur Rehman and Hafeez has been a success story for them in the last two years. They were the main reason Pakistan did not lose a single series out of last seven they have played during that period. Umar Gul has been consistent, but he does not have a settled partner for the new ball at the other end. Either of Aizaz Cheema or Mohammad Sami could play.

Chanaka welegedera has established himself as the front-line seamer for the hosts. Nuwan Kulasekara, who was successful against Pakistan in the 2009 series, will be preferred as his partner in all likelihood. Herath, being the prime spinner, will be paired by Suraj Randiv who is yet to have a real crack at Test level.

The last series in Sri Lanka was remembered due to hilarious batting collapses by Pakistan at Galle and Colombo. As a result they lost 2-0. But memories of recent 3-0 whitewash of England will boost their morale. Further, they have won all of their last 5 Tests. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, have yet to win a series since losing Muralitharan. They can expect to turn the tables this time.

The first Test starts tomorrow at Galle followed by two more at Colombo (30 June) and Pallekele (8 July).

Pakistan probable Eleven:

M Hafeez, Taufeeq Umar, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Mohammad Ayub Dogar, Adnan Akmal, Abdur Rehman, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Aizaz Cheema

Sri Lanka probable Eleven:

Dilshan, Paranvitana, Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Samaraweera, Mathews, Prasanna Jayawardene, Kulasekara, Randiv, Herath, Welegedera

Players to watch:

Azhar Ali: A batsman with solid technique and dogged temperament, Azhar Ali, can give his bowlers runs to play with. If he fires then Pakistani batting would ooze rare confidence.

Angelo Mathews: He has played decent innings at Test level, but this series will be a test for his all-round ability. His confidence is sky high after leading his side to a stunning victory in the last ODI.

Prediction: 1-1