Sri Lanka v Pakistan 2nd ODI at Dambulla - Aug 01, 2009

Dambulla: The first one-dayer on Thursday wasn't as one-sided as it was turning out to be at one stage. The Pakistan lower order fought commendably with only a couple of wickets in hand but it wasn't enough to erase an inept performance by the top order.

Sri Lanka too didn't bat as well as they would have liked, but have fewer concerns overall compared to their opponents. Kumar Sangakkara wasn't exactly chuffed with the way his bowlers lost the plot towards the end of the chase. Death bowling is something the home side will need to sharpen.

Team news

Sri Lanka: Thilan Thushara was the best bowler across both sides in the opening match - taking 3 for 29 - and his early strikes derailed Pakistan's chase. In Chaminda Vaas' absence, Sri Lanka have found an effective replacement who gets enough zip off the pitch. He cleaned up Kamran Akmal with a back-of-a-length ball which snuck through bat and pad, before removing Afridi and Younis Khan.

Squad (probable): Upul Tharanga, Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara (c & wk), Mahela Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera, Angelo Mathews, Chamara Kapugedera, Thilan Thushara, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Muttiah Muralitharan.

Pakistan: Shahid Afridi made a start in the first ODI, hitting a brisk 27 before a poor shot - dabbing a short ball to the keeper - cut short his knock. More is expected from him, both with bat and ball as this series progresses. If he retains his No.3 spot, he can focus more on anchoring the innings.

Squad (probable): Kamran Akmal (wk), Imran Nazir, Younis Khan (c), Fawad Alam, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Yousuf, Abdul Razzaq, Umar Gul, Mohammad Aamer, Saeed Ajmal.

Pitch and conditions
Sri Lanka's main batsmen have found it tough going in Dambulla and here's what Sangakkara had to say about the pitch: "Over the years it's been a tough wicket to read. It's had various scores on it from low to high, the highest being 285. The key is not having a negative mindset going out there. It's best to go out there with an open mind, assess the conditions very quickly and communicate it to the dressing room. Those few little basics that we talk about in building partnerships are going to be the key."

Stats and trivia

• Despite Pakistan's unsuccessful run-chase in the first ODI, Dambulla remains a better pitch for the team batting second in day games. Teams batting first average 3.84 per over and 20.09 per wicket. For teams chasing, the numbers are 3.98 and 26.94.
• Murali's Man-of-the-Match award on Thursday was his second against Pakistan and his third at the Dambulla Stadium in 16 ODIs at that ground.
• Murali's starting to win matches ... with the bat. In the tri-series final against Bangladesh in Mirpur this January, his whirlwind unbeaten 33 guided Sri Lanka to the title in the most freakish manner possible.

Match Facts
Saturday, August 01, 2009
Start time 10.00 local (04.30 GMT)

Highlights of the match