ODI wait for Karachi finally set to end as Pakistan, SL face off today – Newspaper

KARACHI: After the long-awaited First International Day in Karachi fell prey to heavy rains, the scene is now set for Pakistan and Sri Lanka to take it out in the second match of the three-game series originally scheduled here at the National Stadium Monday.

The floor painted a contrasting canvas on Sunday with the scorching sun that soaked all the game arena, the most populous city in the country, in a radiant sun, which was also almost the case on Saturday.

Feeling that the garden will not be ready, given the large amount of blows it received from the rains on Friday, leaving large puddles in various places in the field, to organize the game planned two on Sunday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) The counterparts of Sri Lanka Cricket and the broadcasting organizations assumed before deciding to make a change in the itinerary previously decided after the ground staff requested two days to put the land in playable conditions.

But in retrospect and given the radical change in the weather over the weekend and despite the predictions of the meteorological department, which sometimes tend to be totally the opposite, it would have been possible to organize consecutive matches on Sunday and Monday to ensure that The series did not shrink.

Both teams had extended training sessions on Sunday at the other end of the stadium, but Sri Lankan interim coach Rumesh Ratnayake widely mentioned the hot and humid conditions and focused on Pakistan players during his pre-press conference. match after their charges passed a long period of the afternoon.

“The weather, by the way, has been a key factor. But having said that we are ready for the challenge of competing against a Pakistan team with all its strength and the boys are eager for true competition, "Ratnayake told reporters.

“The biggest challenge this afternoon was to counteract the heat and humidity after the rainy periods on Friday. Our main focus was obvious in the opposition hitters and what our players will face and, of course, do things related to the march, which were discussed and implemented during the training session. ”

Ratnayake also said that Sri Lanka will not be intimidated by the tough request to play against a strong team from Pakistan despite missing 10 of the best players, although he said it would be a golden opportunity for the young brigade on his side.

“The boys have adopted several ways to stay motivated; One is the challenge of getting used to the conditions and another is discussing the side of Pakistan. For us, it is a battle between the giants and the Goliaths and they [Pakistan] obviously they are the giants here.

"That kind of thing can be a great motivating factor for our players." Make no mistake, they have a lot of talent and the potential to surprise Pakistan in these two games and also in the T20 series.

"In regards to our bowling alley, we have varieties in the shape of a wrist twist with the left arm [Lakshan Sandakan] and a decent SUV that turns legs like Wanindu Hasaranga. Our rhythm players have something to prove, particularly the likes of [Lahiru] Kumara and [Kasun] Rajitha, while the variation in that department is provided by the left shipowner Isuru Udana, ”Ratnayake emphasized, although he refused to reveal XI of Sri Lanka for obvious reasons.

Pakistan, who trained under the lights, also did not reveal his side of the game, but Shadab Khan, who spun his legs, said: "Our preparations have gone well and most of us [in the Pakistan team] looking forward to enjoying the great excitement of playing in front of our own fans on an international day for the first time in our life. "

Coach Misbah-ul-Haq, who is also the national team leader, and Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed, will closely monitor the field before deciding on the composition of the XI.

The uncertain weather last week would also make it difficult for Sarfraz and his Sri Lankan counterpart, Lahiru Thirimanne, to decide which option to follow if the coin toss goes on its way. The launch, which inevitably remains covered most of the time, could attract the captain who wins the pitch to the field first and take advantage of excessive sweating beneath the surface.

Teams of):

PAKISTAN: Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Abid Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Asif Ali, Usman Khan Shinwari

SRI LANKA: Lahiru Thirimanne (captain), Danushka Gunathilaka, Oshada Fernando, Avishka Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Shehan Jayasuriya, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Angelo Perera, Minod Bhanuka, Isuru Udana, Nuwan Pradeep, Kasun Kuitks, Lah Kuitmara, Lah Kukshan Kukshan Lahirukan

Referees: Shozab Raza (Pakistan) and Michael Gough (England)

TV Referee: Joel Wilson (West Indies)

Match Referee: David Boon (Australia)

Posted in Dawn, September 30, 2019