 After comprehensively outplaying Sri Lanka throughout the tour, Pakistan
will look to reign supreme in the shortest format of the game as well when the
teams clash in Abu Dhabi for their one-off Twenty20 International. Surprising
as it may sound, Pakistan are ranked seventh in ICC T20 rankings - a format they
seem best suited for. On the other hand, Sri Lanka are ranked second on the table,
and the only notable success they have had since World Cup has come in T20s only.
Sri Lanka look extremely out of ideas to arrest their woeful slide. While the
unpredictable nature of T20 cricket gives them their best chance on tour to
rectify it, their chances of doing so look slim against a Pakistan side gaining
momentum with each win. Pakistan, on the other hand, are hungry for more
wins, not only to put aside their off-field controversies behind them, but also
to improve their seventh-placed ICC T20 ranking - something that took Misbah ul Haq by a shock. Of the last 10 T20 matches, Pakistan have won only three,
two of them against the minnows Zimbabwe.
Click for Live Score Card of Pakistan Vs Sri Lanka
Injuries have depleted both sides with valuable talent, though Sri Lanka's loss
is more damaging on two counts. First, injuries to key players hamper the team's
hopes of change in fortunes. Secondly, their bench strength does not possess the
same firepower and abundance in talent as Pakistan's.
Mahela Jayawardene, who missed the last ODI as well, will be missed at the
top of the order. In addition, skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan will wait on his
fitness to decide whether he plays or not. For Pakistan, Abdul Razzaq
had already been ruled out. In addition, Junaid Khan also suffered an abdominal
tear during the last ODI and has been ruled out for six weeks. Such injuries
will allow both sides to blood more youngsters into the side. Sri Lanka are
likely to give Kosala Kulasekara and the experienced Ajantha Mendis a go. For
Pakistan, Umar Akmal is likely to keep wickets again.
The match is scheduled for a late evening start on the weekly holiday of Friday.
Therefore, a packed house should not be surprising. Interestingly, Pakistan have
lost both their previous T20 games at this ground and will be hoping to set that
record straight.
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