Pakistan to go all out to level series against Sri Lanka

Lahore,Feb 15: A keen tussle is expected in the second One-day International cricket match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka teams at the Jinnah Stadium, Gujranwala on today.

Stung by an unexpected defeat at Karachi in the first of a series of three limited-overs matches, Pakistan will go all out to level the series after being strengthened by the inclusion of speed-merchant Shoaib Akhtar and all-rounder Azhar Mahmood.

Traditionally, the Jinnah Stadium pitch assists the pacemen, particularly in the initial stages. Pakistan have a battery of four pacemen which will also include the guileful pacemen Wasim Akram and Abdul Razzaq. What a pity, the best performer in Karachi, paceman Shahid Nazir may not find a place in the playing eleven in this match.

Buoyed by the 1-0 lead and having a more varied pace-cum-spin attack, which is be backed up by world-class catching and fielding, Sri Lanka will not allow Pakistan an easy sailing. Rather, the 1996 World Cup champions will try to seal the rubber by taking an unbeatable 2-0 lead against the 1992 World Cup champions.Paceman Chaminda Vaas and off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, on their day, can mesmerise any batting line-up.

According to reports received here from our Gujranwala correspondent Akram Malik, the grass from the pitch has been shaved off while the outfield is green and a heavy rollerhas been used to make it favourable for the batsmen.

Still, the Pakistani pacemen, with the help of the redoubtable off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq and useful left-arm spinner Aamir Sohail, can restrict the Sri Lanka side to an achievable target.

Much will depend on the toss. The Pakistan team is a blend of youth and experience. Led by the world-class opening pair of left-handers skipper Saeed Anwar and Aamir Sohail, the Pakistan team has Yousuf Youhana, Moin Khan, Abdul Razzaq, Wasim Akram, Azhar Mahmood and talented youngster Younis Khan, who are all capable of contributing handsomely and build a challenging total.

However, the Pakistan team will have to rise to the occasion in fielding, which is its sore point. Without backing up the bowlers with safe catching and cutting the possible-boundaries into singles and twos and smart throw-ins for run-outs, the Pakistan team cannot restrict the formidable Sri Lankan batting to a low total. The visitors batting will be led by great openerand captain Sanath Jayasuriya, Marvan Atapattu (hero of Karachi match), Arnold, Jayawardena, Kaluwitharana, Chandana, and a few talented youngsters, who have replaced stalwarts like Arjuna Ranatunga and Aravinda de Silva.

Tickets of the one-day match have been sold out and a large crowd is expected to watch fire-works from stroke-players of both the teams. The Pakistan team will enjoy the advantage of home ground and crowd. But the cricket-lovers of Gujranwala (a city having rich tradition of sports) are always very sporting.

All arrangements for the match, which usually turns into a festival in that city, have been completed. The divisional commissioner Khushnood Akhtar Lashari and DIGAhmad Nasim visited the stadium on Tuesday afternoon and are monitoring all security arrangements.

Both the teams had extended sessions of net-practice at the Qadhafi Stadium in the morning and went to Gujranwala late on Tuesday evening.

Pakistan: Saeed Anwar (captain), Aamir Sohail, Imran Abbas, Younis Khan, Yousuf Youhana, Faisal Iqbal, Imran Nazir, Moin Khan, Wasim Akram, Azhar Mahmood, Abdur Razzaq, Shoaib Akhtar, Shahid Nazir, Saqlain Mushtaq, Shoaib Malik.

Sri Lanka: Sanath Jayasuriya (captain), Romesh Kaluwitharana, Marvan Atapattu, Mahela Jayawardena, Russel Arnold, T.M. Dilshan, Indika de Saram, Upul Chandana, Chaminda Vaas, Pramodya Wickremasinghe, Muttiah Muralitharan, Nuwan Zoysa, Ravindra Pushpakumara, Chamara Silva, Indika Gallage, Muthumdalige Pushpakumara.

Umpires: Asad Rauf and Aleem Dar.

TV umpire: Mian Mohammad Aslam.

Reserve Umpire: Islam Khan.

Match referee: Brian Hastings (New Zealand).