Pakistan take on Sri Lanka with Champions Trophy spot in mind

The visitors won the Tests 2-1 by chasing down a target of 377 for the loss of just three wickets after being 13 for 2 in the decisive final match in Pallekele on Tuesday.

As Younus Khan (171*) and Shan Masood (125) nonchalantly battled their way to an unexpected 242 run partnership during Pakistan’s record chase, two thoughts kept floating into my head, “nothing compares to the compelling nature of good test match cricket”, and “no team is as predictably unpredictable as Pakistan”.

Younis Khan has one of the best away common amongst all Pakistani batsmen, beating Inzy’s common of forty seven.eighty five in 70 video games.

Captain Misbah-ul Haq made 59 not out, smashing the winning six off Jehan Mubarak to end his nation’s long winless streak in Sri Lanka, where they lost the last three series, in 2009, 2012 and past year. Azhar Ali has been amongst the runs and he will hope the rest back him up and put up a good show. “This is obviously a very important series for us and we will make sure we play well and win”, said Azhar.

“We had lost some Tests in Sri Lanka earlier because we panicked. We are ready”.

Pakistan cricket captain Misbah-ul-Haq poses with the trophy after his team’s series victory following the third and final Test cricket match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

Pakistan – ranked ninth in the ODI rankings on 87 points – will move ahead of West Indies in eighth with a 3-2 ODI series victory or better.

Pakistan are without Wahab Riaz, Haris Sohail and Sohaib Maqsood through injury for Saturday’s opener, but it is hoped Riaz might be available to play some part in the series.

Sri Lanka are fifth in the rankings as they prepare for a first ODI outing since the Cricket World Cup.

The tourists do at least have the fit-again Mohammad Irfan available, while Mukhtar Ahmed and Bilal Asif are the two uncapped players in their 16-man squad.

The rivals will get their first taste of the new one-day regulations which have no batting powerplay, no compulsory close-in catchers in the opening 10 overs, and allow five fielders outside the circle – instead of four – in the final 10 overs. The Dambulla clash, a day game, is followed by day-night games in Pallekele (July 15), Colombo (July 19, 22) and Hambantota (July 26).

Azhar Ali will lead a squad that includes fast bowler Mohammad Irfan, following his return from a fractured pelvis, while all-rounder Bilal Asif and batsman Mukhtar Ahmed could win their first ODI caps.

The home side also boasts an experienced batting-line in the likes of Tillakaratne Dilshan, Dinesh Chandimal, Upul Tharanga, Kusal Perera and Lahiru Thirimanne while a returnee Ashan Priyanjan, who had last played for the country nearly a year ago, is also there.