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.
Click for Live Score Card of Sri Lanka vs Pakistan
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.
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