Sangakkara, who has 12,305 runs from 132 Tests, will be replaced at his pivotal No. 3 position by another left-hander Upul Tharanga, 30, who played the last of his 19 Tests a year ago.
Advertisement
Pakistan have played one Test at Pallekele before, back in July 2012, and they drew that match, despite the fact that their batting lineup put in a woeful performance in the first innings. He will play just two more Tests against India in August before retiring.
Without a series win over Sri Lanka in their previous three contests, Pakistan are hoping the rain can stay away in Pallekele. Sri Lanka won the second Test at the P. Sara Oval in Colombo by seven wickets on Monday to level the series after Pakistan had take the first match in Galle by 10 wickets.
Jayawardene quit a year ago, leaving Angelo Mathews’ men the unenviable task of going into the decider at the Pallekele global Stadium with a young, inexperienced batting unit.
Some promotional offers make it possible to watch Willow TV legally online free for a limited period of time, such as the offer at this link – or the one-month free trial of Sling TV’s global Sports Package, which includes the all-cricket channel.
Dushmantha Chameera impressed on his debut for Sri Lanka, bowling with raw pace during the second test, but is struggling with a side strain.
Chief selector Kapila Wijegunawardene said that Lahiru Gamage has been included in the squad as a cover up in the event of any injuries occurring to the other fast bowlers. Seamer Dhammika Prasad dominated the Colombo Test with seven wickets, debutant off-spinner Tharindu Kaushal claimed five wickets in the first innings and fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera produced fiery bursts.
We take a look at the key factors going into the match as well as some historical data to give you a picture of the upcoming match. Worse, pace spearhead Wahab Riaz is injured and off-spinner Mohammad Hafeez is not available since he needs to undergo mandatory tests after being reported for a suspect action in Galle.
Misbah-ul-Haq, the Pakistan captain, said the team management was keeping all options open and had not yet crystallised on the XI.
Shan Masood, the left-hand batsman, is likely to replace Hafeez at the top of the order and Rahat Ali, the left-arm seamer, could come in for Riaz, but Misbah indicated the team had not been finalised. “With Jayawardene and Sangakkara not there, this is our best chance to beat Sri Lanka“.
Misbah, while worrying about the absence of experience bowlers, said that they will strike back despite bowlers’ inability to support leg-spinner Yasir Shah and the batting debacle in the first innings of the second test when they fall for 138.
Advertisement
Herath who has been the tormentor of the Pakistani batsmen over the years has been unsuccessful in this series capturing only two wickets in the first two Tests. The tourists may drop seamer Junaid Khan, who has taken just one wicket in the series, and pick two from Rahat Ali, Imran Khan and Ehsan Adil to share the new ball.
