PAK v SL, 1st T20I Preview: High-flying Pakistan aim to replicate the ODIs triumph

Just when people thought the Lankan Lions are getting back on track, Pakistan gave them a rather harsh reality check in the ODI series. The hosts absolutely annihilated Sri Lanka, winning the series 5-0, in the most one-sided and comprehensive way possible. Upul Tharanga’s troops got decimated, but things will be different when they combat in the shortest format.

Thisara Perera is all set to make his debut as a captain of the national side. He will be having a side with not much experience as a lot of players decided to stay out of the T20I series. The final T20 will be played at Lahore and many Lankan players were not willing to travel back to Pakistan after what happened in 2009. Lankan Cricket Board decided to rest all those players for the entire series.

Pakistan on the other side, are completely excited about this series. Cricket made an incredible comeback when World XI traveled to Pakistan a few weeks ago and now, International cricket’s true come back will be marked when Sri Lanka travel there. With emotions riding high, one thing’s certain, this series will be remembered not just for cricket, but for various other things.

Toss: Pakistan won the toss and elected to field

Playing XI

Pakistan: Ahmed Shehzad, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez, Sarfraz Ahmed(w/c), Imad Wasim, Fahim Ashraf, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Usman Khan

Sri Lanka: Dilshan Munaweera, Danushka Gunathilaka, Ashan Priyanjan, Mahela Udawatte, Sadeera Samarawickrama(w), Dasun Shanaka, Sachith Pathirana, Thisara Perera(c), Seekkuge Prasanna, Isuru Udana, Vikum Sanjaya

Focus will be on

Fakhar Zaman (Pakistan)

Tailor-made for the shortest format, Fakhar Zaman is ready to pounce on the inexperienced bowling lineup of the visitors. The swashbuckling opener has not been in great nick off late, but the southpaw registered a good score in the final ODI, which will boost his confidence a lot. But most importantly, this Lankan is not their A side and this will be doing a world of good for him.

Thisara Perera (Sri Lanka)

Leading his national side for the first time, Sri Lanka’s Thisara Perera will be in the spotlight for sure. Not just that, but he is also the most experienced player currently in the lineup. With both bat and ball, the southpaw will be under immense pressure to put up a good show. This is a once in a lifetime experience for the lad and he’d be eager to relish it.

Playing combinations

Pakistan

Ahmed Shehzad will return to the side and he will be batting alongside Fakhar Zaman. Babar Azam will be coming at number 3 and though his form in T20s has been poor, this is a great chance to turn the tables around. Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed, Imad Wasim and Faheem Ahsraf are the people comprising the middle order.

Usman Khan’s unprecedented performance in the final ODI was just a perfect way to announce their arrival on the International stage. He will be sharing the new ball with none other than Hasan Ali and Faheem Ashraf will be their other fast bowling option. Shadab Khan and Imad Wasim will be their spinners.

Sri Lanka

Dilshan Munaweera and Danushka Gunathilaka will be opening the innings for the visitors, with Samarawickrama coming in to bat at 3. Mahela Udawatte, Ashan Priyanjan, Dasun Shanaka, Thisara Perera and Seekkuge Prasanna will take charge of the middle order, but their inexperience might haunt them big time.

Lahiru Gamage and Vishwa Fernando will be sharing the new ball duties being the two prime fast bowlers in the side. Perera will have to continue his good run with the ball to justify his selection as the captain. Seekuge Prasanna and Vandersay will be their spinners, with Dasun Shanaka being their 6th bowling option.

StatAttack

2 – Pakistan only won two T20I games in Abu Dhabi out of the three they’ve played.

142 – Pakistan’s highest total in that ground is 142, which incidentally came against Sri Lanka in 2011.