Fitness doubts surround Lahiru Thirimanne
DUBAI, Thursday: Spinners will have a key role to play in the second Test between Sri Lanka and Pakistan – the first to be played by Sri Lanka under lights with a pink ball at the Dubai International Stadium today. Play is due to commence at 2.00 pm (3.30 pm SLT) and end at 9.00 pm (10.30 pm SLT).
Having taken a look at the pitch that is being prepared for the Test, Sri Lanka skipper Dinesh Chandimal said, “It is really dry so I think that is a more kind of Abu Dhabi pitch. I am sure the spinners will come into play in this game as well.”
In the first Test at Abu Dhabi which Sri Lanka won by 21 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series, spinners took 26 of the 39 wickets to fall to bowlers and it is unlikely with the present state of the Dubai pitch that Sri Lanka will want to change their three-prong spin combination of Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perera and Lakshan Sandakan.
Although Sandakan went wicketless at Abu Dhabi being a wrist spinner he is likely to play a crucial role here as the pitch is expected to provide more grip for the spinners.
“The Abu Dhabi pitch was a totally different to the last two series. We saw on the last day there were so many cracks and they opened up. When we come to Dubai it normally suits the spinners, there is a lot of grip for the spinners. It will be a really good game for both sides,” said Chandimal.
Sri Lanka are looking to go with an unchanged side but doubts persist with the fitness of Lahiru Thirimanne who is suffering from a stiff back.
“Actually we don’t want to change the team but there is Lahiru Thirimanne he is having some back stiffness we need to see him today and take a decision before the game starts tomorrow,” said Chandimal.
“I am sure he will be fit to play. We also need to look at the conditions dew might come into play in the night. We just need to look at those things also. I hope there will be no change.”
In the event of Thirimanne not pulling through tomorrow (Friday) he is most likely to be replaced by that exciting young wicket-keeper batsman Sadeera Samarawickrama, a heavy scorer in domestic competition.
Herath will be the main threat to Pakistan after his 11-wicket demolition of them at Abu Dhabi.
“Normally the Pakistani batters really struggle against left-arm spinners that is what I’ve seen in the last seven-eight years. We all know Rangana is a legend and he is an outstanding bowler. He is a world class bowler and I am sure he will be a really good asset for this game as well. We’ll keep our fingers crossed,” said Chandimal.
Although this is Sri Lanka’s debut in night Test cricket and with a pink ball, they are determined not to let go their 1-0 lead they have taken in the series.
“We never underestimate Pakistan they are a really good side especially in the last couple of series they have played really good cricket. We just want to go back to our basics. We are doing hard work at the practice and everyone is looking forward to this Test,” said Chandimal.
“Actually we are looking to win so we are not going to play for a draw. That is our main target we are going to win and we just need to go back to our basics. If we can win this series it’s really important. We are looking forward to that,” he said.
Pakistan has not lost a Test series in the UAE since they made the country their home venue in 2010 winning 5 and drawing 4 out of the nine played so far.
The most that the majority of the players in this Test squad have played with the pink ball is just one or two matches during the club super eight tournament as they were on tour to South Africa during that period.
“We are excited because this is our first pink ball Test match. Actually we played last season with the pink in domestic cricket but not a night match. So this is the first day-night we are playing and it will be a good challenge for the team. I am sure the guys will take this challenge very well and look forward to do well,” said Chandimal.
“The one game I’ve played with the pink ball in domestic cricket I felt in the first 20 to 25 overs there is bit of seam and swing and when it gets old there is a lot of reverse swing. Not much for the spinners. It is really helpful for the fast bowlers.”
PAKISTAN LOOKING TO ATTACK HERATH
Pakistan will be looking to be more positive against Herath who was their destroyer in the first Test. “All credit to him for taking 400 wickets. He has done well for Sri Lanka, he is the number one spinner so the plan will be to attack him,” said Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed. “The last time we played in Sri Lanka we attacked him so this time we will try to put pressure on him.”
Sarfraz said that his team accepted the fact that they didn’t play well at Abu Dhabi and were determined to make amends here.
“We were in a situation where we should have won the match but it was our bad luck that we didn’t play well on the last day and because of that we lost the match,” said Sarfraz.
“Pressure is there, so we have motivated the players and I am very hopeful that we will win the last game and level the series. We have been working on the skills but the main thing is to motivate them.
“We practiced less but worked on the mistakes and more work was done on motivation. We back them and told them to play their game. Everyone is fit and motivated to play,” he said.
Pakistan has brought in fast bowling all-rounder Wahab Riaz into their squad after Hasan Ali was ruled out with a glute problem (side strain). “We are not taking any risk and have decided to rest him.”
Add new comment