Match Box (Pak. vs Sl. T20 International)

MATCH INFO CENTRAL >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

• Match: Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka Mobitel Cup Lone T20I.
• Date: August 12, 2009
• Venue: R Premadasa Stadium [Also Known as Colombo RPS]
• Type: Twenty20 International
• Series-at-a-Glance (ODI): Pakistan came back strongly to win the last two ODIs of the series with record margins. But despite these late heroics Sri Lanka won the series 3-2.
• Time: 07:30 pm PST, 06:00 pm local, 01:30 pm GMT
• Live Telecasters: PTV Home, Ten Sports, Super Sport 6, Star Cricket (Score Only)
• Live Scores: www.cricinfo.com, www.cricbuzz.com, www.star-cricket.com
• Live Streaming: www.action8cricket, www.justin.tv, www.ustream.tv
• Radio Coverage: City FM 93
• Live Views: cricket@mobitelnet.lk

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THE GROUND

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R Premadasa Stadium was involved in only one T20 International through the years, India vs. Sri Lanka (2009), from which India emerged victorious whilst batting second and chasing down a target of 171.

Pitch: As the pitches are for T20I(s), dry and flat, allowing even the poorest of batsmen to go at a 5-star balling attack with disdain. Thats what all the spectators expect, runs and runs. I think that this match would also not deviate from the conventional T20 and would be a high scoring one. Fingers Crossed.

As far as winning the toss is concerned, without doubt I would bat first if I had a side matching Pakistan's caliber. Then put up a good score of 150+ and you have won the match for good.

This T20 has created quite a stir in Sri Lanka as the Lankans consider it as a perfect opportunity to avenge the T20 World Cup final defeat from Pakistan. But I daresay that this will go down only as a dream for the Lankan Lions. ;-)

The key-man Dilshan will not be there for the Lankans, a serious drawback for them.

This match would also test the skills of Shahid Afridi as a leader. As he would be captaining Pakistan for the first time in his career after the retirement of Younus Khan from T20 Cricket. Although it is nothing new fro the seasoned allrounder who has previously lead teams like Habib Bank, Karachi Dolphins at the domestic circuit.

Shaid Afridi has to perform both with the ba tand the ball. As he is the cpatain now and a captain leads from the front!!!

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TEAM PERFORMANCES

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Pakistan: This is the first T20I fixture for Pakistan at this ground.

Sri Lanka: The Lankans have lost the only T20I they have played here, to India. Despite the fact that they posted a good score of 171.

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FINAL RECOMMENDED PLAYING 11 FOR PAKISTAN

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• Imran Nazir
• Kamran Akmal

The hard-hitting Imran Nazir and the flamboyant Kamran Akmal are an ideal opening pair for a T20 game against any opposition. With Imran Nazir's return to form and Kamran Akmall's good run in the limited-overs format, this opening jodi is one to keep an eye out for.

• Shahid Afridi
• Umar Akmal
• Misbah-ul-Haq
• Shoaib Malik
• Fawad Alam

Shahid Afridi should bat at number three as he had been extremely successful at this position in the T20 WC 2009. Followed by belligerent Umar Akmal who has superb hard-hitting capabilities and now with shorter boundaries he will clear the ropes more often than not. Misbah-ul-Haq has recently returned to form and this good nick should be put to use by Afridi by giving him a chance in this T20, as he has got tremendous capabilities in the shortest form of the game as shown in the first ediiton of the T20 WC. Shoaib Malik seems to have an unending bad patch, but for the sake of completing the batting lineup he gets a place too. In T20 cricket every single run counts and with a fielder like Alam, many-a-runs can be saved, which in the end will always make a difference. Alam has also got some hard-hitting capabilites lowe down the order.

• Mohammad Amir
• Naveed-ul-Hasan
• Rao Iftikhar Anjum
• Saeed Ajmal

Naveed-ul-Hasan has been impressive with his variations. Specially that slower one that bamboozles batsmen more often than not, coupled with his over-the-top hitting he is a worthy of inclusion in the playing eleven. Amer is also in good shape of late and should be in the side for the T20I. Rao Ifitkhar has also been pretty economical in the games he played so far on this tour so he should also be there in the Pakistani bowling attack. No questions about Saeed Ajmal being here, the spinner has delivered more often than not in the T20 WC 2009. And with an unpickable, doosra he can be a handful.

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Stats Source: www.cricinfo.com

Photo (c) AFP

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