Another game, another loss! That is what Pakistan must be thinking on this tour of Sri Lanka, where they have six matches - three ODIs and three test matches - and have yet to win a game, while losing five matches! So when the action shifts to Colombo for the day-night games between the two countries, the question that will be there on everyone's lips is whether Pakistan can pull at least one game off to restore some pride.

However, for that to happen, Pakistan needs a major shuffle in their batting order, and even some changes there. There needs to be space made for Imran Nazir, however, after having not been taken for the first three ODIs despite being a part of the squad, it remains to be seen whether he be his usual confident self. He will, most definitely replace Nasir Jamshed, who hasn't looked like he is enjoying his stint as an opening bat in this series. Secondly, I was surprised at Mohammad Yousuf exclusion from the side, and his style of play could have helped the side out in at least one of the last two games.

It remains to be seen though, whether he will be able to make a comeback into a batting line-up which had scored 288 in the previous game, with the likes of Umar Akmal even scoring a half century. In all probabilities, the only change that will occur with be the Nazir-Jamshed swap. The bowling had been easily manoeuvred so far in the series, and that will be a cause of concern for the Pakistanis. Neither the pace bowlers, nor the spinners have been able to run through the Lankan batting, with even the likes of Shahid Afridi and Saeed Ajmal not able to restrict the hosts.

For Sri Lanka though, the only problem that they had faced in the previous two encounters was with their opening combination of Sanath Jayasuriya and Upul Tharanga. Jayasuriya was dropped and he made way for Mahela Jayawardene to open the innings, while Thilina Kandamby made it to the playing eleven. Jayawardene reposed the selectors' and the team management's trust with a match-winning century.

The one change that I think could be possible in the fourth game could be the inclusion of Ajantha Mendis in place of one of the seam bowlers. Usually, the RPS ground in Colombo has enough in it for the spinners, and that is the one reason one feels that the change could be desired. Apart from that, Mendis' inclusion could bring about a surprise element for the Pakistanis, who have begun to play the quick bowlers slightly better as the series has progressed.

Tag :- Ajantha Mendis   Mohammad Yousuf   Pakistan   Saeed Ajmal   Shahid Afridi   Sri Lanka   Thilina Kandamby   Umar Akmal