da blaze casino： S Rajesh previews the Super Eights encounter between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Johannesburg
da esoccer bet： The Preview by S Rajesh in Johannesburg16-Sep-2007
Sanath Jayasuriya’s blistering form with the bat might prove a handful for Pakistan’s opening bowlers © Getty Images
Sri Lanka have been one of the in-form teams in this tournament, quellingwith ease challenges from Kenya and New Zealand, but Pakistan, who beatthem in a warm-upmatch, could offer a tougher challenge. Of late, Pakistan have had themeasure of the Sri Lankans, losing just two of the last ten ODIs betweenthem, and while Sri Lanka will still start off as favourites, there could bean upset on the cards.Bat play: Sri Lanka’s top order has been in rip-roaring form so farin the tournament, scoring 260 against Kenya and then chasing down 164with plenty to spare against New Zealand. Both those games were inJohannesburg, which means they are accustomed to the conditions. SanathJayasuriya has been pick of the lot so far, scoring 149 runs from 88balls. His recent ODI form against Pakistan hasn’t been so flash, though:in his lastten games against them, he only averages 20.50, and the challenge forSri Lanka – and the chance for Pakistan – will be if he falls early.Pakistan’s batting has been iffy so far, struggling a bit against Scotlandand then making a mess of what should have been a comfortable chaseagainst India. The openers, Imran Nazir and Salman Butt, have failed inboth innings, and Mohammad Hafeez might get a look-in at the top of theorder on Monday. Misbah-ul-Haq has been the man in form, and deserves tobat higher than his No. 6 slot.Wrecking ball: Mohammad Asif destroyed India’s top order and stillfinished on the losing side in Durban, but in the excellent battingconditions that have been a constant here, even Asif might struggle. Withslow bowlers doing so well here, Hafeez is a near-certainty to play, andhis canny offspin will bolster Pakistan’s bowling strength.Sri Lanka’s weak link in their game against New Zealand was GayanWijekoon, the left-arm medium pacer who has neither the pace nor theconsistency to cut it in this format. Expect him to be replaced, possiblyby Kaushal Lokuarachchi, who was the 12th man against New Zealand.Keep your eye on: Mahela Jayawardene. He played a little gemagainst New Zealand, scoring 35 from 18 balls, and is in good enough formto play a match-winning hand.Shop talk: Jayawardene has singled out two men from either side to play a key role in the match. “I think much will depend how Jayasuriya handles Asif and if he overcomes him [Asif] then we can make a big difference against Pakistan. The clash between the two best players of both the teams will be a rare exhibition of skills and they [both] can be vital for giving their teams the advantage.”Pitching it right: It doesn’t matter which strip in the square isused, it’ll still be superb for batting. Under light, the ball should comeon to the bat even better.TeamsPakistan (likely): Salman Butt, Mohammad Hafeez, Imran Nazir,Younis Khan, Shoaib Malik (capt), Shahid Afridi, Misbah-ul-Haq, KamranAkmal (wk), Yasir Arafat, Umar Gul, Mohammad AsifSri Lanka (likely): Upul Tharanga, Sanath Jayasuriya, KumarSangakkara (wk), Mahela Jayawardene (capt), Chamara Silva, Jehan Mubarak,Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Chaminda Vaas, Lasith Malinga,Dilhara Fernando
