PAK v SL, 4th ODI Preview: Visitors aim to salvage some pride; Pakistan target whitewash

After failing to chase down two chasable totals posted by Pakistan, Sri Lanka tried batting first on Wednesday but that didn’t help. Yet, they managed to realize it’s not when they’re batting, but how they’re batting. Lankan top order has been miserable and early wickets never help the middle order and barring Upul Tharanga, no one else is able to stick in there for a long time.

Pakistan, on the other hand, has been high flying in every department. With the bat, Babar Azam chipped in with centuries in the first two games and debutant Imam-ul-Haq shut all the critics down with a flabbergasting hundred. With the focus shifting to the iconic Sharjah, where Pakistan has always fared well, nothing really bad from their perspective.

The dearth in confidence in the Lankan camp is clearly tangible. It’s really appalling and surprising for their fans to see them perform this way after a historic rendition in the Test series. Nevertheless, the paranoid Islanders have nothing to lose from here on and playing some free-flowing cricket could really help in boosting their confidence.

Probable XI

PAKISTAN: Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez, Sarfraz Ahmed (C and wk), Faheem Ashraf, Rumman Raees, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Junaid Khan

SRI LANKA: Niroshan Dickwella, (wk), Upul Tharanga (C), Kusal Mendis, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dinesh Chandimal Milinda Siriwardana, Thisara Perera, Dushmantha Chameera, Akila Dananjaya, Jeffrey Vandersay, Lahiru Gamage

Focus will be on

Fakhar Zaman (Pakistan)

The swashbuckling opener Fakhar Zaman has been getting decent starts but has failed to convert them into something considerable. Yet, the world is not oblivious to the talent he is, especially after witnessing his heroics in the Champions Trophy final this year. He has a new opening partner now in Imam-ul-Haq, who approaches the game a little similarly and maybe, this could help them compliment each other well.

Upul Tharanga (Sri Lanka)

The Lankan skipper has been absolutely terrific this series. The way he smashed a century beating all the odds and almost plundered the game for his side in the 2nd ODI was truly outstanding. One thing he has failed to manage is inflicting his confidence upon his teammates. That is definitely easier said than done, but with just two games remaining, he has to do something to ensure they don’t travel home with empty hands.

Playing combinations

Pakistan

Pakistan’s top three is full of youth and their exuberance. With Imam-ul-Haq and Fakhar Zaman opening the innings, they have Babar Azam coming in at 3. From then on, there’s a baggage of experienced campaigners like Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, and Sarfraz Ahmed. Faheem Ashraf and Shadab Khan can bat a little as well, adding some solidity to their lineup.

They a bunch of amazingly talented fast bowlers, who will relish bowling at Sharjah. Rumman Raees, Hasan Ali, and Junaid Khan will be the fast bowling options, with Ashraf being their 4th probable option. Shadab Khan will be the lone spinner in the side and hopefully, Malik might have to roll his arm over for a few overs.

Sri Lanka

Niroshan Dickwella has failed to repeat his heroics from the Test series in the 50-over format, but he will keep his place as the opener alongside Tharanga. Kusal Mendis will come in at 3 and their middle order will comprise of Lahiru Thirimanne, Dinesh Chandimal Milinda Siriwardana, and Thisara Perera.

Dushmantha Chameera really bowled his heart out in the last game, but failed to reap any rewards. Lahiru Gamage has been brilliant as well, but both these fast bowlers have failed to pick wickets when it mattered the most. Thisara Perera has done a terrific job as an all-rounder thus far and the spinners Jeffrey Vandersay and Akila Dananjaya will have a crucial role to play in the middle overs.

StatAttack

4 – Junaid Khan is 4 wickets away form 100 ODI scalps.

5 – Sri Lanka failed to win any of their previous five games at Sharjah.

7 – Pakistan is unbeaten in 7 successive ODIs.

10 – Sri Lanka lost their previous 10 ODI games.

50 – Mohammad Hafeez is 50 runs short of 6,000 ODI runs.