Sri Lanka out to make amends today

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Sri Lanka are likely make a change in their bowling attack for the second  aOne Day International against visiting Pakistanis at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy today.

Both teams were hard at practice under lights last night and it looked like Lankans were focusing on making a few changes in their bowling attack.

Sri Lanka, having lost the first one dayer at Dambulla on Saturday will be out to make amends by emerging victorious today to make it one all.

Commenting on the team’s approach in today’s game and the recovery after the loss in Dambulla, Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews said that they had a good training session in the last two days. “We can’t do too many things to get everything right in two days, its just the mental approach . We have to be mentally prepared and focused to take on the Pakistanis,” said Mathews at a press briefing held at the Pallekele Stadium prior to the practice session last evening.’

According to Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews, it is highly unlikely to see a change in the Lankan batting order for today’s game.

“As of now . I don’t like to meddle too much with the batting order . We just want the team to settle down . The result might not come initially. But we need to stick to the same batting line up. However we may keep the options open. It is a 50-over game. When it comes to 50-over or T20 I think you should always keep your options open. Also you should give a fair run for the players in certain positions.

Especially I don’t fancy changing the batting order too much,” Mathews added.

However, poor performances by the Lankan bowlers during the first ODI in Dambulla have left no other option for the selectors but to go ahead with a change.

“Pakistan batsmen were confident against spin in Dambulla. They will continue to attack with good foot-movement

 We have discussed about that and our bowlers know that. We should make necessary changes when needed,” added Mathews. The Lankan spinners conceded more than 127 runs in less than 20 overs, taking only one wicket with Seekkuge Prasanna giving away 72 runs during his nine overs. However, Mathews said that changes will be done after analyzing the conditions during the final practice session.

“Conditions are different here and we will take them into consideration. We should look at the dew factor when we train under lights and if we see that it could affect the game, a change in the bowling attack is likely. We have to decide after practices. Rains have been predicted for today’s game”

Sri Lanka will be looking to catch up after losing the first game at Dambulla last week. A dominant all-round performance by Mohammad Hafeez steered Pakistan to a six-wicket victory over the homesters last Saturday where the off-spinner grabbed four wickets and hammered a blistering knock of 103.

Pakistan will be looking to secure their place in the forthcoming ICC Championships and a series win against the Lankans will keep West Indies out of the tournament with the Pakistanis entering it

The Teams

Sri Lanka (from): Kusal Perera, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Lahiru Thirimanne, Upul Tharanga, Angelo Mathews (capt.), Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Milinda Siriwardene, Thisara Perera/ Nuwan Pradeep, Sachithra Senanayake, Lasith Malinga, Suranga Lakmal, Seekuge Prasanna, Sachith Pathirana.

Pakistan (probable): Azhar Ali (capt.), Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Rizwan, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Anwar Ali, Yasir Shah, Rahat Ali, Mohammad Irfan

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