Pakistan's focus now shifts to the World T20 preparations as they gear up for the opening T20I against Sri Lanka on Saturday (October 5). With a full-strength team, going up against a Lankan side sans several of their star players who opted out of the tour, Pakistan will be eager to get back to their dominating ways in T20 cricket, having suffered reversals in their last two series against South Africa and England (one off game).
Before the last two losses, Pakistan had enjoyed an 11-series winning streak which took them to the top of the ICC T20I rankings for teams. Trying to emulate that streak while finding the ideal combination for the world event that takes place in Australia in a year's time will be a balancing act for coach Misbah-ul-Haq and skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed.
For Sri Lanka, ranked eighth in T20Is and without their front-line players, they'll have to punch above their weight in order to challenge Pakistan. But the shortness of the format might allow them to do just that, along with the hunger of the inexperienced lot to showcase their prowess and present their case for the future.
Teams:
Sri Lanka Squad:Avishka Fernando, Danushka Gunathilaka, Oshada Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama(w), Shehan Jayasuriya, Angelo Perera, Dasun Shanaka(c), Isuru Udana, Kasun Rajitha, Lakshan Sandakan, Nuwan Pradeep, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Lahiru Madushanka, Minod Bhanuka, Lahiru Kumara, Wanindu Hasaranga
Pakistan Squad:
Ahmed Shehzad, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Umar Akmal, Asif Ali, Sarfaraz Ahmed(w/c), Faheem Ashraf, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, Haris Sohail, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Hasnain, Usman Shinwari
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