All Eyes on Shoaibs as Pakistan Take on Champion Lanka

Dambula: The focus will be on the returning Pakistani stars - the maverick pacer Shoaib Akhtar and former captain Shoaib Malik - when Shahid Afridi's men take on defending champions Sri Lanka in the opening match of the Asia Cup at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

Afridi's main task will be to keep the side united. The 35-year old Akhtar, who has been out of favour for a while, will be playing his first ODI in 13 months, while Malik, who was accused of fomenting divisions in the team, will be donning national colours for the first time following his marriage with Sania Mirza.

Pakistan, otherwise an unpredictable side, should be explosive on the field this time. Besides, they have a point or two to prove as their track record in Asia Cups is unsatisfactory.

In the last nine editions, Pakistan have won only once, that too way back in 2000 in Bangladesh when they beat Sri Lanka. Hosts Sri Lanka, meanwhile, have dropped Ajantha Mendis and the veteran Sanath Jayasuriya.

Ironically, both Jayasuriya (125 off 114 balls) and Mendis (6/13) played massive roles when they played and won the last Asia Cup final match against India in Karachi.

This time, Lakan skipper Kumar Sangakkara is hoping the replacements will be equally good in the team's quest for a fifth Asia Cup title. "We are at home and so we are expected to do well. We will try and show the best possible performances in the tournament," was what Sangakkara had to say on Monday.

The conditions are in favour of the Lankans, but SLC national curator Aniruddha Polonowita feels all teams will have to be tactically smart. "It's going to be a good batting track and will assist pacers who can move the ball," he said.

Team news

Sri Lanka Rangana Herath got a surprise call-up as the third spinner, but he is unlikely to get a look-in given Suraj Randiv's recent exploits. On form, Nuwan Kulasekara deserves to play, which could delay Maharoof's comeback unless the selectors decide to leave Lasith Malinga out.

Squad from Kumar Sangakkara (C & WK), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene, Thilina Kandamby, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Thilan Samaraweera, Chanaka Welegedara, Muttiah Muralitharan (VC), Rangana Herath, Suraj Randiv, Chamara Kapugedera, Farveez Maharoof, Angelo Mathews, Upul Tharanga.

Pakistan are expected to give 20-year old left-hand batsman Umar Amin a debut. Shahid Afridi will mull the option of playing three quicks, with Shoaib Akhtar returning alongside Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer. It remains to be seen if Shoaib can bowl his full quota of ten overs, and Pakistan have hinted they will use him in short bursts.

Squad from Shahid Afridi (C), Salman Butt (VC), Imran Farhat, Shahzaib Hasan, Umar Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Amin, Kamran Akmal (WK), Abdul Razzaq, Mohammad Aamer, Mohammad Asif, Saeed Ajmal, Abdur Rehman, Asad Shafiq (WK).

Stats and trivia

• Pakistan have played eight games in Dambulla and lost six of them; four of those defeats came in five games against the hosts. Sri Lanka have won 17 of their 24 games at this venue.
• Muttiah Muralitharan relishes bowling here, with 39 wickets in 18 games at an average of 16.87 and an economy rate of 3.73.

Match facts
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Start time 14:30 local (09:00 GMT)