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London: Fans and the media in England are yet to get over Younis Khan's absurd comment about T20 being merely 'fun cricket'. On Friday, the Pakistan skipper has the opportunity to prove his comments weren't serious as his side takes on Sri Lanka in the Group F Super 8 encounter.
Runners-up in 2007, Pakistan did themselves a huge favour by convincingly beating Netherlands and advancing to the Super 8. Their progress in the tournament had looked doubtful after their unimpressive performance against England in their first match at the Oval.
Before the tournament started, Younis Khan had stated how a semi-final appearance could put the smile back on people's faces back in Pakistan. Now, their side can take steps towards just that by putting in a performance of note against the islanders.
Pakistan have the best record in T20 Internationals, winning 14 out of 18 matches. But they haven't played like a team that has won most T20 games.
Their team selection and combinations have often been controversial. They dropped a match-winner like Sohail Tanvir against England. Shahid Afridi is more effective with the ball these days than with the bat, yet he has ben promoted to No.4. And sending Misbah-Ul-Haq, one of Pakistan's best players and a genuine match-winner, to bat at No. 7 was shocking. They will need to correct these errors.
Everything will be forgotten, though, if they beat Sri Lanka on Friday. Sanath Jayasuriya will hold the key to the fortunes of the Lankans, as he so often does in any game. But Kumar Sangakkara's boys aren't just dependent on the soon to be 40-year-old.
Tillakaratne Dilshan has been as consistent as Pakistan's inconsistency. Sangakkara himself has developed into a class T20 player, while Mahela Jayawardene is one of the best finishers in this format.
If there is a worry for the Lankans then it is the lack of explosive power at the back end of their innings. Perhaps, it is here that Lanka can include Farveez Maharoof instead of Udana, who has struggled with length and direction. Maharoof can bowl excellent yorkers and is a strong hitter of the cricket ball.
Team news
Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka's bowling attack of four M's: Malinga, Mathews, Muralitharan and Mendis. With that much skill and variety, preserving a wicket, let alone scoring off them will not be easy. Pakistan played the two spinners with some success earlier in the year, but a big game, with little time to think, is a different contest altogether. Pakistan have only faced Malinga in a limited-overs game once, so the unfamiliarity is still there.
Pakistan: Kamran Akmal has been Pakistan's stand-out player of the last few months. It is probably no coincidence that his batting has rediscovered its spark just as his wicketkeeping has - finally - come out of the abyss in which it found itself over the last two years. He is good enough to win a game with the bat; four stumpings against Netherlands and no dropped chances for a while means he may be good enough to not lose one with the gloves.
Stats and trivia
Match facts
Friday June 12, 2009
Start time 17.30 local, 12.30GMT
