Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 2nd T20 – Preview
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 2nd T20 – Preview
The Lankans are on the winning side of the opening T20 match in this tour. They are aiming to seal the series 2-0. Pakistanis have a new captain and some new players, their bowlers did a good jod but batsmen collapsed. They look to level the series with the next match win. Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2nd T20 is on Sunday June 03, 2012 played at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Sooriyawewa, Hambantota.
Pakistan:
Everything was going right for Pakistan until Thissara Perera walked into the crease. Sri Lanka’s top and middle orders collapsed to some tight bowling and were set to post a below par total, but the big left hander changed the complexion of the game with an aggressive cameo. It was all downhill for Pakistan after that, as only 2 of their batsmen managed to get to double figures. Pakistan will be pleased with their bowling effort – Sohail Tanvir was almost unplayable and the spinners choked the batsmen for most parts. It is their batting that needs some quick attention. The new skipper Hafeez fell for a first ball duck and will have to lead a relatively young from the front if they are to get back into the series. The remaining batsmen – barring Ahmed Shehzad – were equally bad and did literally nothing worth mentioning.
Sri Lanka:
The hosts managed to win the first match but will know that there are a lot of questions to be answered, especially in the batting department. Perera triggered a rescue act but the Lankans will hope for more contributions from the top order. Jayawardene, Dilshan, Sangakkara and Chandimal played too many shots too early which resulted in their dismissals, and they will have to bat sensibly on a slow track which assists spin. The bowling and fielding though, was spot on. Kulasekara did the damage early on and the middle order struggled against the medium pacers who got the ball to move in the air. Sri Lanka will look to replicate the performance on the field and if they manage that, the series will remain safe.
Sri Lanka T20 Squad:
Mahela Jayawardene (C), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kumar Sangakkara, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Nuwan Kulasekera, Sachithra Senanayake, Lasith Malinga.
Pakistan T20 Squad:
Mohammad Hafeez (C), Ahmed Shehzad, Umar Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi, Khalid Latif, Shakeel Ansar, Sohail Tanvir, Saeed Ajmal, Umar Gul, Mohammad Sami.
For More Details on this tour: Pakistan tour of Sri Lanka 2012
