Lanka ready for Pakistan’s T20 challenge, says Perera
abu dhabi — Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium is ready for some slap-bang cricket as Pakistan and Sri Lanka play the first T20 of the three-match series on Thursday.
After the mauling in the oneday series, the Lions will be hoping for some special act or a miracle from any Lankan player as the core team think-tank will be missing the action.
Regular skipper Upul Tharanga has refused to travel to Lahore — the venue for the final T20. Also the likes of Dinesh Chandimal and Niroshan Dickwella, and coach among others are not in the team as selectors have picked only those who were ready to play in Lahore too.
Thereby, Sri Lanka will be led by Thisara Perera, who put a brave face during the Press conference.
“It’s a new challenge for me and my team as well. We have young and talented players. I think we can do something special for the series. I have belief in my team and we can give a good challenge to Pakistan team,” the interim skipper said.
Sri Lanka, however, had a terrific T20 year so far. The Lankans beat South Africa and Australia in away matches winning five out of nine matches played this year.
In this series, however, it is lack of form and experienced hands that will be their undoing.
Perera, however, said this is a good opportunity for the new faces in the team.
“We have given confidence to the newcomers and asked them to give their 100 per cent. I think we can give a performance that is better than ODIs.”
Perera was among the players in the World XI squad that recently played the three-match series in Pakistan and said: “I am satisfied with security. I am happy to go there.”
Meanwhile, Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed has problems in stark contrast to Sri Lanka. He is in a fix over his final XI as anyone who had been given a chance has clicked.
“Our batting strength is getting stronger with each match. And it’s getting difficult to decide which bowler to include and rest,” Sarfraz noted.
In T20s this year, Pakistan have thrashed West Indies and secured the World XI series. ICC rankings feature Pakistan on second and Sri Lanka on eighth.
The second T20 will also be played in Abu Dhabi on Friday with both matches starting at 8pm.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com
Victories in nine T20 matches for Lanka this year