*PAKISTAN VS SRILANKA 2nd TEST IN A 2 MATCH TEST SERIES 2023 PREVIEW*
*THE BUILD UP:*
A test that tested our patience as fans, that gave us the thrills and what I found to be the most fascinating aspect was how the entertainment never stopped with the game ending on the final day. Imam Ul Haq ended up scoring a vital 50 off 84 balls and amidst all the criticism decided to give the answer with his bat. We have often seen the southpaw under the pump in away tours but a fifty in a winning cause while chasing a tricky total was all that it ended for Pakistan to repay their faith on the opener.
The Lankans continued to give Pak fans a jumpscare but failed to seize the important moments in the game and the results are to show for it. The fight that Mathews and Dhananjaya showed after which Jayasuriya decided to take over the dominance was phenomenal but they’d have hoped for it to last longer in order to create a greater impact as a team.
One magnificent discovery out of this test match was the resurgence of Saud Shakeel, who played like an experienced pro who has an experience of over 100 test matches. He swept hard, ran hard and was all in for the grind and rightly so, breached past the 200 run mark with so much ease. How he counterattacked the SL spinners in their own den was a trademark of a champion and you surely cannot discount somebody like him from the next test match where he will be riding on big confidence.
*SL PROBABLE XI:*
Dimuth Karunaratne(c), Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrama(wk), Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando
Asitha Fernando, could be an important pick in their XI heading into the second test match. He was unfortunate enough to miss out in the opener but someone with 32 wickets in 11 matches demands inclusion and looking at how dangerously the Pakistani quicks were bowling last time, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to slot some extra pace in. This No10 and No11 duo could make the ball talk on these surfaces which often have something to offer with the newer ball.
Dimuth Karunaratne was a failure in the first test, having accumulated just 49 across the two innings he featured in. For someone of his calibre, he was expected to convert his starts into formidable scores but both the times, his innings was cut short for scores below 30. You don’t expect a player of his class who even has a century in India against India, to sit quiet for long. Watch out for what he brings to the table.
Jayasuriya has been a sensation ever since he has made his debut. Hailing from this island and idolising the legend that Herath was, Rangana has been following the legend’s steps nicely and he accounted for 7 Pakistan wickets the other day, spinning a web around them and holding them tight. However, what concerned me was his inability to maintain the pressure with dot balls when he was not producing beauties to get rid of them. The partnership between Saud and Agha highlighted his weakness where attacking cricket was the way to go against him. I won’t be shocked if Pakistan sticks to stepping out of their crease and put pressure on him this test(again).
Dhananjaya is Lanka’s crisis man and has stepped up in dire times, when he was the need of the hour. His ability to arrest a collapse and play proactively makes him a fantastic addition to this side and he’d be eyeing a good game again.
*PAK PROBABLE XI:*
Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Babar Azam (capt), Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Saud Shakeel, Agha Salman, Noman Ali, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi
Pakistan to go unchanged in this test match after a positive resounding victory in this format after an year. The last year was a tough one, specially for Pak fans supporting the boys in whites but a start like this away from home is refreshing news.
There were a few doubts on Noman Ali’s game and his wicketless outing in the first innings but he was quick to respond to it with the red cherry in hand and bring back some momentum in Pakistans favour in the second innings. He isn’t a big turner of the ball and his trajectory is rather predictable but what makes him lethal is his stunning accuracy to stick to the typical wicket taking test match line and lengths.
Babar Azam Will be keenly watched after a mediocre first game for the current Pakistani skipper. Ever since England has toured Pakistan, we have seen the ace batter bat with intent and though it was visible even in the opener, there were sadly no conversions. Jayasuriya got the better of him both times and he’d be vary of the threat the left armer possesses on these tracks which suit him nicely. Expecting Babar to shine this time around and treat us all to a classic.
Agha Ali Salman deserves a big round of applause for nailing his role as a utility allrounder. He batted freely, stitching a valuable partnership with Saud when Pak were reeling and kept coming at SL with his off break deliveries. The 29 year old chipped in with decent amount of overs and ended up getting hold of 3 SL batters in the match. Pakistan would bank on him again to get the job done with both his skillsets.
*MY PREDICTIONS:*
*FOR SL:*
Highest run getter- Dimuth Karunaratne/Dhananjaya De Silva
Highest wicket taker- Jayasuriya/Asitha Fernando
*FOR PAK:*
Highest run getter- Saud Shakeel/Babar Azam
Highest wicket taker- Abrar Ahmed/Naseem Shah
*FOR THE GAME:*
SL to bounce back with a win.