Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, 2nd T20I, Preview: Last chance for a Lankan turnaround

With the ODI series already done and dusted, with Pakistan whitewashing the series by 5-0, Sri Lanka has their backs to the walls and would be under tremendous pressure as they look to level the series in the 2nd T20I at Abu Dhabi.

For the Lions, it has to be their woeful batting throughout the limited-overs leg of the tour which has cost them with the recent string of defeats. The bowlers seldom had enough runs to play with while the batters have given away the good work from the bowlers with their poor show with the willow.

Pakistan, on the other hand, has been enjoying a rich form in the limited overs format. If they win today at Abu Dhabi, it would their fifth consecutive T20I series win along with the 9-match winning streak in ODIs. It is a no-brainer to state that out of the two dressing rooms, it is the Pakistan camp which would be the happier one.

Playing XI

Pakistan

Sarfraz Ahmed (c & wk), Fakhar Zaman, Ahmed Shehzad, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Usman Khan,

Sri Lanka

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

Focus will be on

Mohammad Amir

After suffering an injury during the Test series and missing out on the ODI series, Pakistan’s ace speedster, Mohammad Amir has been included in the T20I series. Even though he missed out on the 1st T20I, it is expected that the southpaw will clear the fitness test and feature in the bowling attack for Pakistan.

With Amir in the side, the attack would be too hot to handle for the struggling Sri Lankan batting lineup. In T20I cricket, Amir is a match winner with an exceptional economy of 7 and 34 wickets to his name in the 31 matches he has represented for Pakistan.

Thisara Perera

With a depleted squad, with all major names missing out of the T20 leg of the tour, Thisara Perera has his task cut out to command the Lankan squad. The idea of promoting himself up the order and taking additional responsibility with batting unit struggling may not be a bad idea.

Furthermore, Perera would also chip in with a couple of vital overs in the middle trying to break the partnership and stemming the flow of runs.

Playing combinations

Pakistan

When a team is winning everything which comes their way, it may not be feasible for one to tinker with the line-up. Fahim Ashraf might have to sit out provided Mohammad Amir passes the fitness test. The pace bowling attack would then comprise of Amir, Usman Khan and Hassan Ali.

The spin department would yet again be spearheaded by Shadab Khan who has a knack of picking up wickets whenever introduced into the attack. Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez have been used extensively during the tour. The Pakistan team looks well balanced with both bat and ball, thereby, would start as the favourites in the match.

Sri Lanka

It is possible that the Lankan think tank would go in with an unchanged side and give further opportunities to the youngsters in the side, in the absence of their premier players. The likes of Munaweera and Samarawickrama would be the key in terms of batting, which would be their major concern.

Gunathilaka and Perera being the senior statesmen, would look to take additional responsibility and take the pressure off their bowling attack which looked secured in the 1st T20I.

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