*Official* Pakistan in Sri Lanka

[Furball]

Next match will be a selection dilemma.

Mendis is out of form, and Murali is fit. That's easy to figure out. Warnapura and Jayawardane has been woefully out of form. But last innigs both played well. In considering that both need another go in 3rd test match. paranavithana has been classy, but had thrown away starts regularly. Kumar, Matthews, Samaraweera and Dilshan all are stop start form. Prasanna Jayawardane is fit.

Team like this may play at Colombo RPS, which is well known to produce run-fests.

Paranavithana, Warnapura, Sangakkara, M. Jayawardane, Samaraweera, Dilshan, P. Jayawardane, Kulasekara, Thushara, Herath, Murali. We might see some spin from Dilshan, Warnapura and Paranavithana.

While I've not seen anything of this series, it might be a bit premature to say Mendis is out of form - he's just up against the one and only side in world cricket that so far has played him with any degree of competence.

 

[sirdj]

My dear, India's Test performance has nothing to do with their T 20 performance. Most of the stars of their T20 World Cup win are not the stars of their Test sides.

When I talk about what India gained from the T20 world cup win, I mostly talk about the intangibles. Also I think India gained a lot by the change in captaincy. Dhoni brings a totally different mindset to the captaincy and the ODI wins gave a lot of self belief to the test teams.

In Australia even though India did not win (mostly because of the Sydney test cheating issues) the test series, the way they trounced Australia in the ODIs gave them the upper hand in the home series against Australia.

I dont remember the stats, but I dont think any of the seniors apart from Tendulkar contributed more to the test wins than the juniors. Different people came up with the goods when needed but overall juniors contributed as much if not more than the seniors.

Secondly India got interested in the whole T20 format and the BCCI made a lot of money due to this new interest in T20.

Pakistan could have capped on their T20 win too but this poor show in the tests sorta negates that possibility in a way.

 

[SJS]

When I talk about what India gained from the T20 world cup win, I mostly talk about the intangibles. Also I think India gained a lot by the change in captaincy. Dhoni brings a totally different mindset to the captaincy and the ODI wins gave a lot of self belief to the test teams.

In Australia even though India did not win (mostly because of the Sydney test cheating issues) the test series, the way they trounced Australia in the ODIs gave them the upper hand in the home series against Australia.

I dont remember the stats, but I dont think any of the seniors apart from Tendulkar contributed more to the test wins than the juniors. Different people came up with the goods when needed but overall juniors contributed as much if not more than the seniors.

Secondly India got interested in the whole T20 format and the BCCI made a lot of money due to this new interest in T20.

Pakistan could have capped on their T20 win too but this poor show in the tests sorta negates that possibility in a way.

I can go on with this but forget it.

You are free to think what you like. Right ?

 

[TT Boy]

Vaas in the squad for the 3rd test but still no Murali.

Given how Mendis has gone, maybe Vaas should come in for him and he will boost their batting as well.

 

[sirdj]

I can go on with this but forget it.

You are free to think what you like. Right ?

But would like to know what your opinion is.

 

[Nishan]

Vaas in the squad for the 3rd test but still no Murali.

Given how Mendis has gone, maybe Vaas should come in for him and he will boost their batting as well.

Yah vass for Mendis for me, also wouldnt suprise me If chamida announces his test retirement here,

 

[slowfinger]

Nah take out Mathews, I don't think he is worth ir tbph.

 

[stumpski]

Vaas in for Mendis, Kaneria in for Abdur Rauf - Pakistan put in to bat.

We are promised showers for later in the day, like everywhere else that is trying to stage cricket at the moment.

 

[TT Boy]

What was the rationale for bowling first?

 

[Nishan]

Maybe they decided to bowl given the cloudy conditions, and the fact Pakistan batsmen are lacking confidence.. Apart from that the pitch doesnt warrant bowling first. Even first session

 

[Athlai]

Pakistan on self destruct mode.

 

[AaronK]

Did i hear about another pakistani bating colapse? god this is geting old now lol..

3 wickets in 8 deliveries.. pakistan was lucky they stopped the play or else they were all out by now lol

 

[AaronK]

So no one is watching this match.. I know pakistani fans are disappointed.. but i don't see any Sri Lankan fan as well here..

this match continued to be a tight and interesting one. infact, this whole series has been wonderful..I would say wrong time for this series since everyone is busy with Ashes... but this series has been equally good as ashes..

 

[Jungle Jumbo]

Since when did Younis Khan start bowling seam-up? Cricinfo commentary seems to think fairly highly of it.

 

[Nishan]

it has defnitly a series for the bowlers and batting collapses, suprise fact is Sri Lanka without 1 hundread in the series are leading 2-0 has this ever happend before? Without Murali and Mendis out of touch their lesser bowlers have done amazingly well.

Pakistan on top here lanka conceeding a big lead. and pitch spinning makes you wonder why they bowled first.

 

[Prince EWS]

Since when did Younis Khan start bowling seam-up? Cricinfo commentary seems to think fairly highly of it.

Took a few wickets in the first Test with it.

Apparently he's always mucked around with it and has a naturally awesome seam position, but has only started it taking it seriously since he finally gave up his life-long hope of being a Test leggie.

 

[Uppercut]

What's the deal with Dilshan? Sri Lanka persist with him for years hoping he'll mature in to a quality test batsman, then the moment he does, they give him the gloves and make him bat at 8. Strange tstl.

 

[Prince EWS]

What's the deal with Dilshan? Sri Lanka persist with him for years hoping he'll mature in to a quality test batsman, then the moment he does, they give him the gloves and make him bat at 8. Strange tstl.

He's only batting so low because he busted his finger - the plan was to have him bat six.

But yeah, funny decision to make him keep. He's obviously keen on it as I doubt they'd force it upon him otherwise.

 

[Uppercut]

Busted finger, I see.

Probably likes to be involved all the time. They'll miss him in the field though.

 

[Athlai]

Is anyone keeping a running tally on Pakistan's collapses? 6 wickets for 14.