A second-string Sri Lankan team touring a fellow Asian nation for a two-week limited-overs trip sounds nothing other than the ordinary. But the series that is just a night’s sleep away now and will be illuminating the National Stadium of Karachi after some hours is not just another bilateral ODI series. It’s the first of its kind in the last decade or so in which a whole generation has groomed, seven Cricket World Cups (ODI & T20I) have been organized and England have finally managed to win one of those 50-over editions. Limited-overs Cricket has been revolutionized and now it returns back to one of the pioneering Asian countries as far as nourishing the game is concerned.
Sri Lanka tour of Pakistan is set to get underway after assurances and reassurances of several kinds. The Islanders have arrived with a depleted side with 10 of their top players refusing to tour, citing security concerns. As for Pakistan, the series marks a new era as far as the coaching staff of the national team is concerned. Misbah-ul-Haq who so masterfully shepherded the Greenshirts during their nomad years in the “adopted” home, has now taken hold of the reins of the team’s management.
Despite failing to take Pakistan into the World Cup semi-finals and participating in his team’s triumphs with significant efforts with the bat, Sarfraz Ahmed has managed to retain his position as the skipper of the team. He will be marshalling his troops at his home ground with Babar Azam as his vice. The questions, however remain as to will Sarfraz bring up drastic changes in the team’s selection and strategies under the era of Misbah?
While talking to media in an informal presser, Sarfraz Ahmed revealed that he is looking forward to that momentous occasion when he walks out to lead Pakistan on their home turf:
"Leading the Pakistan cricket team in a bilateral ODI series in front of my home crowd will be one of the highlights of my career," said Sarfaraz. "I can't wait for Friday, which will mark the memorable occasion, and I hope when I walk out, I have a full-house behind me, not only cheering me but both the sides. Fans are the lifeline for any sport as they are the driving force for any team or player.”
Pakistan are without their gun pace-bowler, Shaheen Shah Afridi, who rocked the cricketing world with his spell-bounding bowling displays at the mega-event. He is recovering from a viral disease and was not named in the squad.
Iftikhar Ahmed, wicketkeeping-batsman Mohammad Rizwan, and bowling allrounder Mohammad Nawaz have regained their spots in the ODI squad. Iftikhar last appeared in Pakistan’s ODI colors back in 2015. He recently had an impressive run in the 50-over Pakistan Cup, scoring two consecutive tons for Punjab.
Despite Abid Ali’s induction into the squad, Pakistan are expected to stick with the opening combination of Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq. Asif Ali, who featured in just two World Cup games, may also make the cut and feature in the 1st ODI.
Pakistan Possible XI: 1 Fakhar Zaman, 2 Imam-ul-Haq, 3 Babar Azam, 4 Haris Sohail, 5 Sarfraz Ahmed (capt & wk), 6 Asif Ali, 7 Imad Wasim, 8 Shadab Khan, 9 Wahab Riaz, 10 Mohammad Amir, 11 Usman Shinwari
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, are accompanying a very inexperienced side after 10 of their first-choice, most prominent players backed out after having doubts about the security arrangements. The weaklings in the side can be gauged from the fact that Lahiru Thirimanne, who has been struggling to make the first-stringed XI recently, will now be shouldering the captaincy responsibilities of this team throughout the ODI series.
Although ten players have pulled out from the team’s tour, there is still only one uncapped player in the squad, a 24-year-old left-handed batsman Minod Bhanuka. The series definitely presents an opportunity to Sri Lanka to see what lies ahead for them except from the obvious pool of players. Speaking about the security arrangements and about the trip so far, Thirimanne revealed that he was pretty satisfied with the arrangements that were ensured:
"The security has been really good. Its been first class, we haven't had any problems and the facilities have been really good too. SLC showed us the security plan about what we will get here and I didn't have any concerns about that.” Thirimanne said
Isuru Udana and Nuwan Pradeep will be spearheading the Islanders’ bowling battery due to their superior experience in the international arena. Kusal Mendis remains unavailable for selection due to the leg injury he sustained during the recently concluded T20I series against the Kiwis. The mystery left-arm wristspinner, Lakshan Sandakan and the left-handed opener, Danushka Gunathilaka, have been named in the squad, too.
Sri Lanka’s ODI Squad: Lahiru Thirimanne (capt), Danushka Gunathilaka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Avishka Fernando, Oshada Fernando, Shehan Jayasuriya, Dasun Shanaka, Minod Bhanuka, Angelo Perera, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lakshan Sandakan, Nuwan Pradeep, Isuru Udana, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara
Karachi has been drenched by severe rains of late and on the eve of the match, the covers were on almost throughout the entirety of the day. A covered pitch may induce seam-bowling friendly conditions. The most recent ODI to be played in Karachi also dates as far as back the year 2009 when the Sri Lankan team toured Pakistan.
