Are you ready for the big Match??? SL vs PAK
Match Facts
February 26, Colombo
Start time 14:30 local time (09:00 GMT)
Start time 14:30 local time (09:00 GMT)
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Related Links Analysis : Familiar rivals line up in big contest News : Pakistan mull three specialist bowlers News : Sri Lanka wary of "dangerous" Pakistan Series/Tournaments: ICC Cricket World Cup | |||
Big Picture
When the World Cup comes to colourful Colombo on Saturday, the tournament will begin in earnest for two subcontinent teams. Both Pakistan and Sri Lanka opened with massive wins over Associate nations, but this will be their first real test in the competition. None of the smaller teams in Group A seem capable of challenging the Test nations, so the game will be important in terms of placings for the quarter-finals. And in a tournament whose first week has been loaded with one-sided matches, two teams packed with dynamic players also promise some high-voltage entertainment.Past records might suggest Pakistan have an edge - they have beaten Sri Lanka in each of their six encounters in the World Cups and have won their previous five games at the R Premadasa - but that will count for little. The two sides have not faced each other in cricket's showpiece tournament since 1992, and the Premadasa has undergone extensive redevelopment. What will help Pakistan, though, is the relative lack of controversy surrounding the current team, a low-profile lead-up and the confidence of a recent series win, in New Zealand, behind them.
Sri Lanka's advantage is that most of their players have had a taste of how the new track will fare during the domestic limited-over tournament held in January. Traditionally, this has been a bat-first venue, especially in day-night games where the team chasing has won only one of the past 13 matches, but it remains to be seen how the re-laid pitch fares .
Form guide
(Most recent first)Sri Lanka WWWLW
Pakistan WLWWW
Pitch and conditions
The pitch will be the centre of attention since it's a re-laid track, and Saturday's game will be the first international game to be played on it. It may not be too high scoring a game, if the domestic matches played since the stadium was re-developed are anything to go by. The highest score batting first in the one-dayers played in January was 225, a total which was easily defended. Kumar Sangakkara, the Sri Lanka captain, though, expects the bare surface to be good for batting.Watch out for…
Thisara Perera was outstanding with the ball against Canada, and picked loads of wickets whenever he got a chance in 2010 as well. He worked up real pace in Hambantota, and has provided the team management with the welcome headache of working out how to accommodate him, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekara and Angelo Mathews in the XI. He also adds muscle to Sri Lanka's lower-middle order.Shoaib Akhtar has weathered stacks of controversies and fitness problems to become one of the few constants in Pakistan's team. There has not been any talk of injuries for eight months, a minor miracle given his past record. Age hasn't slowed him down too much either; even at 35 he remains among the quickest bowlers in the world.
Team news
Pakistan have hinted they will stick to the same combination that played Kenya, which means Wahab Riaz and Saeed Ajmal are likely to remain on the bench. Waqar Younis has said Pakistan are pondering how to use Abdul Razzaq better, but for now he will continue to be an impact batsman at No. 8 and opening the bowling.Pakistan (probable): 1 Mohammad Hafeez, 2 Ahmed Shehzad, 3 Kamran Akmal (wk), 4 Younis Khan, 5 Misbah-ul-Haq, 6 Umar Akmal, 7 Shahid Afridi (capt), 8 Abdul Razzaq, 9 Umar Gul, 10 Abdur Rehman, 11 Shoaib Akhtar
The main concern for Sri Lanka is the fitness of their pace spearhead, Malinga, who has a back strain. He missed Sri Lanka's opening game, but he did bowl in the nets on Friday. The physio will take a call on Saturday whether Malinga will play. If he doesn't, Sri Lanka could stick to the same XI that beat Canada.
Sri Lanka (probable): 1 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 2 Upul Tharanga, 3 Kumar Sangakkara (capt & wk), 4 Mahela Jayawardene, 5 Chamara Kapugedera, 6 Thilan Samaraweera, 7 Angelo Mathews, 8 Thisara Perera, 9 Nuwan Kulasekara, 10 Ajantha Mendis, 11 Muttiah Muralitharan
Try picking the XIs for tomorrow's game by playing Team Selector.
Stats and trivia
- Muttiah Muralitharan needs one more wicket to move past Wasim Akram's tally of 55 wickets to become the second highest wicket-taker in World Cups.
- Sri Lanka have never beaten Pakistan in six World Cup matches, though the two haven't met in the competition since 1992.
- One more stumping will take Sangakkara's tally to eight, moving ahead of Adam Gilchrist and Moin Khan, with whom he current shares the record for most stumpings.
- This is Afridi's fourth World Cup, but he is yet to make a half-century.
Quotes
"In the past we've played really well against him in this country. I don't think we should worry about him that much; he is not 28 anymore. It is not going to be easy though. We're prepared not only for him but the entire team."
Waqar doesn't think Pakistan should be scared of Murali
Waqar doesn't think Pakistan should be scared of Murali
"I find it surprising that their name is not bandied about in the mix of potential World Cup winners as they have brilliant match winners with both bat and ball."
Mahela Jayawardene thinks Pakistan are among the favourites for the tournament
Mahela Jayawardene thinks Pakistan are among the favourites for the tournament
Siddarth Ravindran is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo
Feeds: Siddarth Ravindran© ESPN EMEA Ltd.
Familiar rivals line up in big contest
Recently, when Pakistan haven't known anything about their future on and off the field, they've always known that soon, they'll be playing against Sri Lanka
February 25, 2011
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Related Links Preview : Heavyweights clash at R Premadasa News : Pakistan mull three specialist bowlers News : Sri Lanka wary of "dangerous" Pakistan Series/Tournaments: ICC Cricket World Cup | |||
There must be a certain comfort for Pakistan in taking on Sri Lanka. This has nothing to do with who is the better side, but on the grounds of familiarity alone. In the last five years, when Pakistan haven't known anything about their future on and off the field, they've always known that soon, they'll be playing against Sri Lanka.
When looking to introduce a new captain, they look to Sri Lanka, as they did with Shoaib Malik and a three-ODI series in Abu Dhabi just after the last World Cup. In the interests of symmetry they even ended Malik's captaincy two years later just after he had lost another three-match series against them. The first international Pakistan played after the Oval Test forfeit and the positive dope tests of Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif was against Sri Lanka. The most joyous occasions, such as the World Twenty20 win have involved Sri Lanka. The saddest, the Lahore attacks just before, have also regrettably involved them.
No country has played more against Pakistan in the last five years across all three formats than Sri Lanka (30 games). In a recent board-to-board interchange, both chairmen referred to the other in "brotherly" terms. It was a pointless exchange about Sri Lanka's scheduled series against Pakistan in October this year and the remote possibility of it being played in Pakistan. But if and when international cricket does return, it can be easily imagined that Sri Lanka will be the first visitors.
In many ways, the rivalry has been a balm, a soothing one, for Pakistan.
Lately, quietly slipping in under the radar of traditional duels, it has become an intense one. In the vernacular, you might even say it has acquired kaanta, or needle. In 17 ODIs since January 2006, the sides have won eight games each. None of the games have been particularly close but as a whole, contests have been competitive and carried meaningful sub-plots.
"I think Pakistan is a great side, they've got great balance, they've got match winning cricketers, not just one but quite a lot of them, so any opposition is wary of them," Kumar Sangakkara, Sri Lanka's captain, said. "We are not going to take anything lightly or for granted, we are just going to go out there and do the best what we can."
Sangakkara, who contributed to the needle with a much-remembered slanging match with Younis Khan in 2009, speaks from a position of equality, if not outright control. The equality is a modern attribute, since Sri Lanka's rise from 1996. Pakistan may well have won six out of six World Cup encounters before Saturday, but - and this is remarkable - they haven't come across each other since 1992.
The stat means nothing. Altogether more relevant is the run-in: Sri Lanka have won six of the last eight.
Familiarity, in fact, may be the winning and losing of it. Pakistan, over the years, have learnt not to give wickets to Muttiah Muralitharan; he's taken 95 in 64 ODIs, but they rarely crumble to him. Even then, Waqar Younis' bullish assessment, that Muralitharan "isn't 28 anymore" and that the going may not be easy for him, tempts fate. Similarly, Lasith Malinga, not a certainty, has not been as difficult to fathom as others have found.
And arguably, they were the first country to decode Ajantha Mendis.
"We've played a lot of cricket against them and understand each other's games well," Misbah-ul-Haq said. "Both Muralitharan and Malinga are world class. But we've played them quite a lot, and players understand their strengths. Simple plan: play them on merit."
Instead, it is men such as Nuwan Kulusekera or even Rangana Herath if he plays, the more orthodox if you will, of Sri Lanka's stars who have troubled Pakistan consistently. If Pakistan can shed their caution and attach another specialist bowler, their attack will be deceptively incisive. Regardless, we are assured of the presence of a vast, varied cast of match-winners on the field tomorrow, any of them capable of changing a game in a blink.
For the World Cup, the R Premadasa has taken on a new visage. A day before the game, and empty, it still looked faintly intimidating, even threatening. The stands are new and high. The game is sold-out. The city is feeling it now, building up to it. The weekend is here. Both teams are wound up, ready to be let at each other. It will be some atmosphere, a true theatre for what will be - hopefully, given the lack of them so far - a true contest.
Osman Samiuddin is Pakistan editor of ESPNcricinfo
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Sri Lanka wary of "dangerous" Pakistan
Sa'adi Thawfeeq in Colombo
February 25, 2011
Related Links Analysis : Familiar rivals line up in big contest Preview : Heavyweights clash at R Premadasa Series/Tournaments: ICC Cricket World Cup | |
Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, Sri Lanka's captain and vice-captain respectively, have both warned that Pakistan are a dangerous side that other teams will be wary of in the World Cup. Not too many people have tipped Pakistan to win the tournament, after a tumultuous year for them in which they have been plagued by off-field issues, but Jayawardene said he was surprised by the lack of hype around them.
"I find it surprising that their name is not bandied about in the mix of potential World Cup winners as they have brilliant match winners with both bat and ball," Jayawardene wrote on his blog.
Sangakkara echoed that sentiment, saying Pakistan's batsmen were dangerous. "Any opposition is wary of them and we're not going to take anything lightly or for granted," he said. He was, however, confident that his bowlers would be up to the task, particularly with what he described as a "vastly improved" pace attack. Lasith Malinga has been Sri Lanka's most successful bowler in the one-day format over the past year, and Thisara Perera, who seemed to have added a couple of yards of pace to his bowling in Sri Lanka's opening match against Canada, has been the second highest wicket-taker.
"We understand how dangerous the Pakistani batsmen are and that's the beauty of playing a side like them," Sangakkara said. "Those challenges I think the bowlers will enjoy. There's been a vast improvement for us actually to have good fast bowlers in our squad. We've got guys who bowl over 140[kph] and we've got guys who swing it as well. Both sides have good pace and good spin and I think it's going to be a battle between two teams who are looking forward to a very keen contest. Every side has a different approach and we've got our own, which we're trying to fine tune as we go along. "
Sri Lanka, along with co-hosts India, are being touted as one of the favourites to win the World Cup, but Jayawardene said even though Pakistan may not be hosting any games, they still know the conditions well. "Pakistan are just as familiar with the conditions, so they pose a huge danger to any side, especially in the knockout stage and it should be a good match," he said. "Despite what people may write or not write, we certainly are fully aware of what this Pakistan side can do to any team with seemingly little effort."
One possible setback for Sri Lanka is that there are still doubts over the readiness of Malinga for the game. He missed the match against Canada with a back strain, though Perera and Nuwan Kulasekara did the job in his absence.
"Lasith is improving very fast and we'll have to look at him," Sangakkara said. "We don't want to rush him into a big tournament like this. He is the most important player for us so we want to make sure that he is comfortable and everyone is comfortable with the decision."
The pitch at the R Premadasa has been completely re-laid ahead of the World Cup, but Sri Lanka's players have the advantage of having played on it during the domestic one-day tournament in January. Sangakkara, who praised the new pitch in Hambantota, said he thought the wicket in Colombo would be as good for batting. "In the match against Canada the wicket was good and we think even this surface will act the same," he said. "We don't' want to think too much about the pitch."
Feeds: Sa'adi Thawfeeq© ESPN EMEA Ltd.
Pakistan mull three specialist bowlers
February 25, 2011
Related Links Analysis : Familiar rivals line up in big contest Preview : Heavyweights clash at R Premadasa Players/Officials: Waqar Younis Series/Tournaments: ICC Cricket World Cup Teams: Pakistan | |
If indications from Waqar Younis are anything to go by, Pakistan are unlikely to pick a fourth specialist bowler for Saturday's crunch game against co-hosts Sri Lanka at the R Premadasa. Pakistan comprehensively beat Kenya in their tournament opener on Wednesday, but played, in Umar Gul, Shoaib Akhtar and Abdur Rehman, with just three specialist bowlers. Shahid Afridi is as good as a specialist bowler but the caution to fill the line-up with batsmen and batsmen who can bowl, has led to an under-utilisation of Abdul Razzaq.
Razzaq batted at No. 8 in the last game, as he has done in 14 of 18 ODIs in the last year. He has played a few significant innings but more than his performances, the question has been whether he is being allowed, in the current line-up, to have the fullest impact on a game. Pakistan have compensated by using him as an opening bowler, but even there he remains under-used: in those 18 ODIs, he has bowled 91.4 overs or, on average, roughly five overs a game. Never once has he bowled the whole quota and he has picked up eight wickets.
Instead, Pakistan have combined him and Mohammad Hafeez to provide a fifth bowler and have also been making Ahmed Shehzad bowl in practice, with a view to using him if needed. Though Waqar admitted that Razzaq didn't "really fit" in the current line-up, he maintained that they were happy with his bowling contribution.
"I think Razzaq has done really well with the ball," Waqar said, ahead of the Sri Lanka game. "He hasn't delivered the goods with the bat apart from one game in Abu Dhabi [the hundred against South Africa]. He is no doubt our striker in both batting and bowling. He bowls with the new ball and we've got to push him a little more in that.
"You're right he comes at eight, but we have five batsmen, the keeper is more a batsman and then there is Afridi, so he doesn't really fit in at the moment. But if we need to send him up the order if quick runs are required we might push him."
Pakistan's batting, in actual fact, has performed well over that period, crossing 250 13 times in their last 20 ODIs. But clearly the management remains concerned. The inclusion of Abdur Rehman ahead of Saeed Ajmal - circumstantial to an extent after a personal tragedy forced Ajmal to return to Pakistan during the New Zealand tour and allowed Rehman to take his place - against Kenya surprised some. But it has been done to shore the batting up further still.
"It is unfortunate Ajmal is not playing right now," Waqar said. "He has won matches for us over the last 4-5 years. But right now Rehman is a utility player. He bats a little, he is a very good fielder and the way he is bowling, from what I've seen, he is the best spinner here."
For the moment, Waqar said, the final XI had not been decided and hints from the camp suggest it is likely to remain unchanged. But the nature of the surface, re-laid recently, might compel a re-jig. "We don't really know at the moment," Waqar said. "These pitches are brand new, so we're not really sure how it has played. We're just going to go with the best combination, what we probably had in the last match but we haven't had a meeting yet. Until we come back in the morning and see something different, but at the moment I don't think there will be changes."
Though Waqar played down the threat Muttiah Muralitharan might pose, he acknowledged Sri Lanka will be a stern test. "It's an important game. For this tournament, for momentum it is important and to get to the quarter-final, and in which position you get there, in that sense very important. If you want to go ahead, you have to build momentum so you treat all the teams as one. Sri Lanka at home is very difficult to beat. But the way we've played and trained, I am hopeful we can beat them."
Osman Samiuddin is Pakistan editor of ESPNcricinfo
Feeds: Osman Samiuddin© ESPN EMEA Ltd.
Misbah rides on higher confidence
February 24, 2011
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It is difficult to believe both that, at 36, Misbah-ul-Haqhasn't played a World Cup before and that he is playing this one at all. Such was the force of his last axing, from all three formats no less, that until circumstances thrust him into the Test captaincy last October, his career was all but over.
Yet as the premier domestic batsman in Pakistan in the 2000s, many felt he had been treated unfairly in not being given at least one opportunity between 2003 and 2007; with Inzamam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan in the middle order during that period, however, it was difficult to see how he would get in.
But, like the best actors and boxers, he does comebacks exceedingly well. In 2007, after a four-year exile, he nearly won Pakistan a world title. In this latest return he has been even more remarkable; 65 against Kenya in Hambantota was his ninth international fifty in 12 innings across Tests and ODIs.
The player, he said during Pakistan's practice at the Premadasa in Colombo, does not change. "I've always said it is important for any player to get some self-belief and confidence back. You start scoring runs, the team starts believing in you and people's expectations of you increase and that gives you self-belief. And as your confidence builds your performance gets better. The player actually remains the same before and after, but with confidence higher, you perform better."
Had poker been an official pursuit in Pakistan, his face would've won him titles, so expecting him to express regret, or anger, or even blink twice, at being asked about missing past World Cups is futile. He is happy, he says, just to be playing at all. "I think whatever cricket you do play you should think about that. I am enjoying it at the moment, I have always enjoyed playing it, domestically or internationally and I only want to do what I can for the side."
Misbah's return has fitted in seamlessly with a gradual upswing in Pakistan's batting results over the last year or so, an under-scrutinised aspect of their performances. In 20 ODIs in Sri Lanka, England, the UAE and New Zealand, Pakistan have made 250 or more 13 times. Each member of the top six has made contributions at various stages, so that the problem has been one of plenty, of pacing an innings, of arranging the order so that momentum is not squandered and stability always present.
Misbah has come, as he did on Wednesday, mostly at five and has batted often in tandem with Younis Khan. Though the poor start then highlighted the calm the pair brings, against a better attack more oomph might be needed through the middle, an Umar Akmal breaking up the pair. Some in Pakistan, Imran Khan no less, want Misbah even higher in the order.
"The situation as it is, with the way the batting order is, all our batsmen have scored runs," Misbah said. "Kamran [Akmal] comes in at three and he has opened, Younis at four who has mostly played at three, the openers did well scoring hundreds in New Zealand, so we're not really feeling that our batting is missing something. We've got guys scoring runs and performing. Our batting order is fine and it is a good combination at the moment. Whatever the team needs, will happen. None of the players have any issues with where they are batting and what number."
Few attacks can match Sri Lanka's for potency or variety so Saturday, in what is likely to be an electric atmosphere, will be a comprehensive test of Pakistan. "Sri Lanka always, but especially in the last 2-3 years they have been very consistent, playing good cricket and in home conditions they are a very tough side," Misbah said.
"To get a good first win in this kind of tournament, with most of your batsmen scoring runs and then convincingly get them out, the morale gets high and players get into touch. It is a very vital match for both sides."
Osman Samiuddin is Pakistan editor of ESPNcricinfo
Feeds: Osman Samiuddin© ESPN EMEA Ltd.
Kapugedera: 'We want to win for Murali'
ESPNcricinfo staff
February 24, 2011
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Chamara Kapugedera wants Sri Lanka to win the World Cup as a tribute to Muttiah Muralitharan, who helped secure the trophy back in 1996, and who is set to retire from international cricket at the end of the tournament with a world-record haul of wickets in both Test and ODI formats.
"He's [Muralitharan] a special person, he's a legend, it will be his last World Cup," Kapugedera said. "Everyone wants to make him proud and give him a very good send off. Everybody is doing their best to take the World Cup back home for Murali and Sri Lanka. It will be a great tribute to Murali."
Sri Lanka are one of the favourites for this year's event, having finished as runners-up in 2007, and they launched their campaign in emphatic style on Sunday, with a 210-run victory over Canada in Hambantota. Saturday's fixture against Pakistan in Colombo will be a much sterner test, but they go into the match full of confidence.
"It's always important to win the first match of the tournament, whoever the side is. It gives you the confidence to carry on," said Kapugedera, "We had a very good game. We did what we talked about before the game. Everybody is happy with their performances. We have a good chance to have a shot from now."
Pakistan's own opening match was scarcely less one-sided. They recovered from a dicey first ten overs to rout Kenya by 205 runs at the same venue, but Kapugedera is unfazed by their form. "They are a very good side," he said. "Pakistan has good players and have done well in the past few months. We are not concerned about them, the major concern is about ourselves, what we do and how we prepare ourselves for the match. Hopefully we can come on the 26th and deliver the goods."
One thing that could be both a help and a hindrance for Sri Lanka is the fact that they will be playing at home. Familiarity with the conditions at the Premadasa Stadium could be offset by the pressure of expectation from their home supporters. However, Kapugedera does not believe that will be the case.
"It's not a pressure, it's a big advantage," he said. "The Sri Lankan crowd is very good. They support us even when we don't do well. That's what we need. We are playing a good side, we know that, we are prepared for it. They played a good game, yes. If we play to our true potential we have a very good chance to win the match.
"This is one of the biggest opportunities I have got playing in a World Cup. I want to win and the team wants to win... I am really up to it."
© ESPN EMEA Ltd.
Strong home record favours Sri lanka
Sri Lanka are slight favourites owing to recent form, but the toss could play a very important role in this crucial clash
Madhusudhan Ramakrishnan
February 25, 2011
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Related Links Players/Officials: Tillakaratne Dilshan Series/Tournaments: ICC Cricket World Cup Grounds: R.Premadasa Stadium | |||
Considering that Sri Lanka and Pakistan play each other much more often than most other sides, it might come as a surprise to everyone that the two teams last faced off in a World Cup game in the 1992 edition. On that occasion, Pakistan won a tightly contested game by four wickets. Pakistan have won on eight of the nine occasions that the teams have met in a global tournament including six times in World Cups and two of the three meetings in the Champions Trophy. Sri Lanka, though, can feel confident because the only win they have recorded over Pakistan came in the 2002 Champions Trophy game in Colombo, where they will play Pakistan on Saturday. Sri Lanka have been the far more consistent side in World Cups since their 1996 win. After an early exit in 1999, they made the semi-final in 2003 and the final in 2007. Pakistan, on the other hand, did not make the semi-final in 2003 and crashed out in the first round in 2007.
Head-to-head
The early dominance that Pakistan had in head-to-head contests has waned since 2000 with Sri Lanka winning 22 matches to Pakistan's 21 since then. Sri Lanka have performed much better in home conditions against Pakistan, winning nine and losing five of the 15 matches played since 2000. In matches played since the beginning of 2008, Sri Lanka again dominate; they have won seven matches to Pakistan's three and have a 4-2 record in ODIs in Sri Lanka. The striking factor about the head-to-head matches played since 2008 is that there have been four occasions when a team has won by a margin greater than 100 runs, which does imply the possibility of a one-sided contest.
The early dominance that Pakistan had in head-to-head contests has waned since 2000 with Sri Lanka winning 22 matches to Pakistan's 21 since then. Sri Lanka have performed much better in home conditions against Pakistan, winning nine and losing five of the 15 matches played since 2000. In matches played since the beginning of 2008, Sri Lanka again dominate; they have won seven matches to Pakistan's three and have a 4-2 record in ODIs in Sri Lanka. The striking factor about the head-to-head matches played since 2008 is that there have been four occasions when a team has won by a margin greater than 100 runs, which does imply the possibility of a one-sided contest.
| Played | Won | Lost | W/L ratio | |
| Overall | 120 | 70 | 46 | 1.52 |
| Global tournaments | 9 | 8 | 1 | 8.00 |
| Since Jan 2000 | 44 | 21 | 22 | 0.95 |
| Since Jan 2008 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 0.42 |
| In Sri Lanka (overall) | 27 | 12 | 13 | 0.92 |
| In Sri Lanka (since Jan 2008) | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0.50 |
Sri Lanka dominant in recent matches
The recent record of the two teams has been completely contrasting. Sri Lanka have won 30 out of 53 matches since the start of January 2009 and have a win-loss ratio of 1.50. Pakistan have been extremely disappointing though with 17 wins and 27 losses in matches played in that period. After a 5-0 defeat against Australia in the beginning of 2010, Pakistan played spiritedly in three tightly-contested series against England, South Africa and New Zealand. They did lose the first two 3-2, but won the series against New Zealand by the same margin. Sri Lanka have had a much better time winning the tri-series at home followed by a maiden series victory in Australia.
The recent record of the two teams has been completely contrasting. Sri Lanka have won 30 out of 53 matches since the start of January 2009 and have a win-loss ratio of 1.50. Pakistan have been extremely disappointing though with 17 wins and 27 losses in matches played in that period. After a 5-0 defeat against Australia in the beginning of 2010, Pakistan played spiritedly in three tightly-contested series against England, South Africa and New Zealand. They did lose the first two 3-2, but won the series against New Zealand by the same margin. Sri Lanka have had a much better time winning the tri-series at home followed by a maiden series victory in Australia.
Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara played superbly in the first match of the World Cup and have been impressive in matches against Pakistan in the last two years. Tillakaratne Dilshan stands out though with an average over 90 and a strike rate close to 100 in the last four matches against Pakistan. Younis Khan's return to form lends stability to Pakistan's middle order, but the key will be the form of Shahid Afridi and Umar Akmal, both of who have strike rates over 100. Misbah-ul-Haq, who otherwise has been prolific, has had a relatively quiet time against Sri Lanka.
| Batsman | Team | Matches | Runs | Average | Strike rate | 100 | 50 |
| Mahela Jayawardene | Sri Lanka | 9 | 315 | 35.00 | 87.25 | 1 | 1 |
| Kumar Sangakkara | Sri Lanka | 9 | 287 | 35.87 | 80.84 | 0 | 1 |
| Tillakaratne Dilshan | Sri Lanka | 4 | 273 | 91.00 | 95.78 | 1 | 1 |
| Upul Tharanga | Sri Lanka | 6 | 194 | 32.33 | 73.48 | 0 | 2 |
| Younis Khan | Pakistan | 10 | 272 | 34.00 | 68.00 | 0 | 2 |
| Umar Akmal | Pakistan | 11 | 222 | 55.50 | 103.73 | 1 | 1 |
| Shahid Afridi | Pakistan | 11 | 196 | 28.00 | 122.50 | 1 | 0 |
| Misbah-ul-Haq | Pakistan | 5 | 92 | 23.00 | 74.19 | 0 | 1 |
Variety in attacks
Both teams possess excellent variety in the bowling attack with a good mix of pace and spin. The ability to reverse swing the ball consistently makes Umar Gul and Abdul Razzaq dangerous in the subcontinent. Afridi, who boasts two five-wicket hauls in recent years, has become an extremely important bowler in the attack. The economical Saeed Ajmal lends more potency to the attack and will be a huge threat if given the opportunity to defend a competitive target.
Both teams possess excellent variety in the bowling attack with a good mix of pace and spin. The ability to reverse swing the ball consistently makes Umar Gul and Abdul Razzaq dangerous in the subcontinent. Afridi, who boasts two five-wicket hauls in recent years, has become an extremely important bowler in the attack. The economical Saeed Ajmal lends more potency to the attack and will be a huge threat if given the opportunity to defend a competitive target.
Nuwan Kulasekara and Lasith Malinga have been Sri Lanka's best fast bowlers in the last two years. Malinga's unorthodox action, coupled with his accuracy, is a huge asset in the end overs. Ajantha Mendis' variations and Muttiah Muralitharan's experience will be a huge factor in home conditions. Muralitharan, the highest wicket taker in ODIs against Pakistan, has not had a great record in recent matches, but will undoubtedly be aiming to end his World Cup career on a high.
| Bowler | Team | Matches | Wickets | Average | Economy rate | 4WI | 5WI |
| Nuwan Kulasekara | Sri Lanka | 43 | 58 | 28.12 | 4.73 | 1 | 0 |
| Lasith Malinga | Sri Lanka | 24 | 35 | 30.28 | 5.16 | 1 | 1 |
| Ajantha Mendis | Sri Lanka | 29 | 35 | 32.54 | 4.80 | 1 | 0 |
| Muttiah Muralitharan | Sri Lanka | 24 | 31 | 31.58 | 4.68 | 0 | 0 |
| Shahid Afridi | Pakistan | 45 | 55 | 34.16 | 4.65 | 0 | 2 |
| Saeed Ajmal | Pakistan | 38 | 40 | 30.10 | 4.53 | 2 | 0 |
| Shoaib Akhtar | Pakistan | 41 | 25 | 39.04 | 5.36 | 0 | 0 |
| Abdul Razzaq | Pakistan | 33 | 16 | 44.18 | 4.95 | 0 | 1 |
Evenly balanced teams
In ODIs since 2009, Sri Lanka have performed much better than Pakistan against both pace and spin. They average 30.54 to Pakistan's 25.25 against pace bowling, while scoring at a higher run-rate (5.62 to 4.97). They average higher against spin too (38.94 to 31.44), but Pakistan score at a slightly better rate (5.07 to 4.89).
In ODIs since 2009, Sri Lanka have performed much better than Pakistan against both pace and spin. They average 30.54 to Pakistan's 25.25 against pace bowling, while scoring at a higher run-rate (5.62 to 4.97). They average higher against spin too (38.94 to 31.44), but Pakistan score at a slightly better rate (5.07 to 4.89).
Sri Lanka have by far been the better side in the first 15 overs, scoring at a better rate and possessing a better economy rate than Pakistan. Both teams have scored at a similar rate in the middle overs (16-40), but Pakistan have been slightly more economical in this phase. Pakistan's explosive lower order has boosted their total on many occasions and this is reflected in their run rate of 7.40 in the last ten overs. However, Sri Lanka have been the better bowling side in the final overs, conceding less than seven runs per over.
| Team | Overs | Run rate | Batting avg | Economy rate | Bowling avg | Run rate difference |
| Pakistan | 1-15 | 4.18 | 30.19 | 5.03 | 39.54 | -0.85 |
| Sri Lanka | 1-15 | 5.33 | 43.37 | 4.76 | 32.24 | 0.57 |
| Pakistan | 15-40 | 4.84 | 36.75 | 4.57 | 33.44 | 0.27 |
| Sri Lanka | 15-40 | 4.84 | 30.48 | 4.94 | 31.66 | -0.10 |
| Pakistan | 41-50 | 7.40 | 19.15 | 7.12 | 24.95 | 0.28 |
| Sri Lanka | 41-50 | 7.07 | 20.55 | 6.83 | 24.01 | 0.24 |
Batting first the better choice
Between 2000 and March 2006, the team batting first won 26 and lost 13 matches at the R Premadasa Stadium. Since July 2007, when matches resumed at the renovated ground, the record has been 14-3. Under lights, chasing has been near impossible with teams managing only two wins in 14 matches.
Between 2000 and March 2006, the team batting first won 26 and lost 13 matches at the R Premadasa Stadium. Since July 2007, when matches resumed at the renovated ground, the record has been 14-3. Under lights, chasing has been near impossible with teams managing only two wins in 14 matches.
In matches till 2005, spinners performed slightly better than pace bowlers in matches played at the venue. But since 2007, though spinners remain the more economical, the fast bowlers have been much more successful, picking up a much higher number of wickets at a better average than spinners. Spinners though, have been exceptional in the second innings: they have picked up 54 wickets at an average of 22.64 and conceded just 4.34 runs per over.
The stadium has been thoroughly renovated for the World Cup, though and the pitch re-laid.
© ESPN EMEA Ltd.
Ambition demands an extra bowler
Pakistan's bowling attack could use more firepower© AFPPakistan, like all the major teams, have three banana skins to avoid to ensure qualification and they neatly sidestepped the first one. In their last two one-day series Pakistan have rallied well and developed a consistency about their cricket, which was continued at the cavernous Hambantota stadium.
The surfaces in the United Arab Emirates and New Zealand managed to replicate South Asian conditions, a factor that has helped ensure that Pakistan’s players are decently prepared. Familiar conditions help mask the vulnerabilities in Pakistan’s batting order, allowing the bowlers to make a decisive impact. And it is on that point that Pakistan face something of a dilemma.
The current selection, with batting in depth, is a healthy insurance policy for disaster against a minor nation but less suited to winning the trophy. The extra batsman is probably unnecessary. As the tournament progresses, the better teams will eye up an opening attack of Shoaib Akhtar (past his best) and Abdul Razzaq (short of pace) and lick their lips for a twenty-over run spree. Shahid Afridi might then turn to Mohammad Hafeez but the reaction in the opposition will be further salivation.
Luckily, the tournament format allows plenty of opportunity for tinkering provided those banana skins are stepped over. Bringing in Wahab Riaz in place of a batsman, probably one of the openers, would be the obvious option, with Kamran Akmal pushed up to open. In that scenario, moving up Umar Akmal to split Younis Khan and Misbah-ul Haq might offer more dash up front and maintain some solidity later on.
Pakistan have options. They are playing in conditions that suit them. They are playing with unity and the air of wronged men seeking vengeance. The team selection will soon reveal the extent of their ambitions, and an extra bowler would be a statement of intent.
For Pakistan’s aspirations of causing an upset, choosing too many batsmen might turn out to be the biggest banana skin of all.
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