Sri Lanka, Pakistan battle in decider

The Test series between Sri Lanka and Pakistan stands at an interesting phase. It is currently tied at 1-1, with the deciding Test in Pallekele starting from Friday. Pakistan won the first Test at Galle, a rain-curtailed game, on back of a stunning performance by leg-spinner Yasir Shah, who destroyed the hosts with a seven-wicket haul in the second innings. His figures of 7/76, in fact, were the best by a leg-spinner in Sri Lanka. Chasing a paltry score of 90, Pakistan drew first blood with ease with a comprehensive ten-wicket win.

Sri Lanka got their revenge in the second match at Colombo. Newbie Tharindu Kaushal wrecked havoc with Dhammika Prasad in the first innings bowling out the tourists for a meagre 138. In reply, a solid 80 from Kaushal Silva and 77 from Angelo Mathews pushed the hosts past the 300-mark, after Yasir Shah had crippled the middle-order with a six-wicket haul.

Although Azhar Ali's fighting century and a brief resistance from the top and middle order drove Pakistan, Dhammika Prasad, once again came up with a terrific bowling performance, making sure Pakistan collapsed with only a 152-run lead.

Both teams have had their fair share of concerns. Pakistan, in particular, have had trouble with their batting throughout the series. Their batsmen have been able to get good starts but not been able to convert them into big scores on a frequent basis. Skipper Misbah-ul-Haq had expressed his concerns over this problem after the second Test ended and they would want to correct it this time around.

Match Start Date: July 03

Venue: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele

Time: 10:00 local, 04:30 GMT

Weather: There are chances of the occasional thunderstorm and showers on all the five days and like the first two Tests, this one too could be a start-stop affair.

Team News:

Sri Lanka:

After veteran batsman Kumar Sangakkara announced his retirement from Tests, Upul Tharanga was drafted into the squad as his replacement. Other batting options that the hosts have in their squad are Jehan Mubarak and Kusal Perera. Keeping in mind Kusal Perera's good form, there is a possibility that he might get a chance to replace Vithanage at seven. Fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera had a few niggles in the previous match and has been ruled out of the game with a side strain. Suranga Lakmal will take his place.

Probable XI: Dimuth Karunaratne, Kaushal Silva, Upul Tharanga, Lahiru Thirimanne, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Kithuruwan Vithanage/Kusal Perera, Dhammika Prasad, Rangana Herath, Tharindu Kaushal, Suranga Lakmal

Pakistan:

Wahab Riaz was ruled out of the last Test with a fractured left hand, while all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez will miss the game as he will be undergoing testing on his bowling action at the ICC-accredited testing centre in Chennai.

Left-handed batsman Shan Masood might replace Hafeez and open with Ahmed Shehzad while Rahat Ali might get a go for Wahab. Pakistan have also drafted Fawad Alam in their squad and he could work as a good batting option for them.

Probable XI: Ahmed Shehzad, Shan Masood, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Asad Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed, Yasir Shah, Zulfiqar Babar, Junaid Khan, Rahat Ali

Trivia:

For the first time in 13 years, Sri Lanka are without the services of both Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene. The last such instance was in July 2002.

Quotes:

"We are going for a win. We won't be happy with a draw. Whatever the outcome of the game is, we have just got to play positive cricket."

~ Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews on playing aggressive cricket

"We are definitely going into the Test determined to win and we have the example of Sri Lanka, the way they bounced back."

~ Pakistan captain Misbah-ul -Haq on being inspired by Sri Lanka