Dimuth Karunaratne’s Sri Lankan team will be looking to build on their winning streak against Pakistan in Galle in a possible spin match in the first Test starting on Saturday.
Cricket remains a welcome distraction for Sri Lankans amid the island nation’s political unrest and unprecedented economic woes, with the sport providing few smiles.
Sri Lanka entered the Pakistan series after two contrasting results in Galle, where they first lost to Australia on a vicious turner and then bounced back to take on the tourists on Monday.
Former Pakistan captain Amir Sohail said the visiting batsmen will have to overcome their weakness against left-arm spin to be successful in the two-match series.
Left-handed batsman Sohail, who played a key role for Pakistan in 1992, “both teams have grown up on spin wickets and hang out on these kinds of pitches.” World Cup win, told AFP.
But I believe if Pakistan has to make an impact and win this series then they have to work hard.
“We know historically that Pakistani players have weakness against left-arm spinners, so they have to deal with it. So they should prepare well and the batsmen should take responsibility.
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Sohail’s analysis comes after first left-arm spinner Prabhat Jayasuriya thrashed Australia by an innings and 39 runs in the final with 12 wickets in the match.
Jayasuriya, 30, was one of three Sri Lanka players, including mystery spinner Mahesh Thekshana and all-rounder Kamindu Mendis, who won the team its first Test cap in the previous match after facing the Covid outbreak.
Kamindu made a mark in the series-level win with his gritty 61-run stand in a 133-run partnership with Dinesh Chandimal, who scored his maiden Test double century – 206 not out.
– Advantage Sri Lanka –
Sri Lanka named an 18-man squad for two matches on Thursday, with Pathum Nisanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Jeffrey Vandersay and Asitha Fernando returning to the squad after recovering from Covid.
The visiting team, led by Babar Azam, strengthened their spin attack by bringing back experienced leg-spinner Yasir Shah to the Test side.
Babar himself has been in strong form with the bat and most recently scored 196 runs in the team’s home series against Australia, which they lost 1-0 in March.
Openers Abdullah Shafiq and Imam-ul-Haq have also been involved in the runs and Sohail insisted that batting is not a one man army.
“Last series Imam-ul-Haq was very consistent, Abdullah Shafiq showed his ability. There is Rizwan and he has given a good response and there is Azhar Ali,” Sohail said.
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“So I wouldn’t say there is over-dependence (on Babar), but because Babar has become such a big name, the expectations are high that he does something special in every match.”
Karunaratne conceded that Pakistan will face a tougher one than Australia in the two Tests but believes playing in Galle for the third time in a row will be beneficial for the hosts.
“Pakistan is a strong side. (But) playing three games at Galle is good for a team. Karunaratne said, we know how the situation is in the last few matches.
“Pakistan doesn’t have that opportunity. Big advantage for us. We need to turn it in our favor.”
Sri Lanka Squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (Captain), Pathum Nisanka, Oshada Fernando, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kamindu Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella (WK), Dinesh Chandimal (WK), Ramesh Mendis, Mahesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Prabhat Jayasuriya, Dunith Velalez, Jeffrey Vandersay
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