The countdown begins for the World T20 in Sri Lanka with Pakistan’s tour of Sri Lanka. The two-match T20 series starts on Friday as both sides look to make the most of the opportunities left ahead of the big tournament.
For Pakistan, it is a new beginning of sorts with Mohammad Hafeez installed as the new captain, replacing the ageing Misbah ul Haq. The team suffered a whitewash in the last T20 series against England and would be keen to avoid the same.
Hafeez has a strong and youthful blend of players in his team, with the likes of Mohammad Sami, Yasir Arafat and Sohail Tanvir making a comeback. In addition, Umar Akmal and Hammad Azam boast of some prodigious young talent while Shahid Afridi remains a seasoned campaigner as ever.
The bowling unit also looks strong with Saeed Ajmal being their major weapon together with Umar Gul whose deadly accuracy in the death overs is a vital asset.
Sri Lanka will be led by Mahela Jayawardene who insists he enjoys the shortest format of the game more than he used to earlier. Several players in his squad, including himself, have been in the T20 groove lately having appeared for various franchises in the Indian Premier League.
Lasith Malinga showed his prowess, picking up wickets as well as keeping runs down. However, he is still recovering from a knee injury that could prove to be a bit of dampener, especially after he finished the IPL conceding aplenty.
Tillakaratne Dilshan, no longer under the captaincy pressure, also fared well in IPL and will be a threat opening the innings.
Kumar Sangakkara is one player who needs to rediscover his form after a troubled time in the Indian Premier League. Dinesh Chandimal is an exciting young prospect who did well in Australia and plenty will be expected off him as well.
The match will be played in Hambantota starting at 7.00pm local time. Pakistan hold the upper hand in head-to-head T20 clashes with Sri Lanka, having won five of the seven matches played so far.