Good opportunity for Mahela to sign off with startling performance

By Ranjan ANANDAPPA

Kumar Sangakkara - the vice-captain of team a capable batsman in no uncertain manner.

Thilan Samaraweera - capable of big scores when the need arises.

CRICKET: Pakistan is one of the most unpredictable sides in World cricket and we will not take anything lightly or for granted so said the former Sri Lanka Test wicket keeper-batsman Brendon Kurupppu who will be managing the team to Pakistan.

The team left for Karachi, Pakistan last evening where the Lankans will play a two day warm up game and two Test matches. The 1st Test begins at the National Stadium, Karachi on February 21 and the 2nd Test will get under way on March 1 at the Gadaffi Stadium, Lahore.

“Pakistan is always a good side. There are ups and downs in every team. I would rate Pakistan as the most unpredictable team in the World as they are a very good side. On their day, they could beat anyone. We don’t take any team lightly. Every team we play, we take them on merit and we will play to our strength”, said Kuruppu.

Referring to the two youngsters - opener Tharanga Paranavithana and fast bowler Suranga Lakmal, Kuruppu said that both have played a lot of `A’ team and domestic cricket and are ready for International baptism. Paranavithana, in particular, had a very successful season representing a Sri Lanka `A’ side in South Africa with a highest score of 150.

“We should make sure that both should be exposed to gain experience with the other senior players in the team. Most probably the left-handed Paranavithana might open the batting with the other left-hander Warnapura. Generally, in Pakistan the wickets are very hard, bouncy and true which is good for batting and it could be an ideal opportunity for Paranavithana to establish himself”.

In the case of 21-year-old paceman Suranga Lakmal from Debarawewa MV who later joined Richmond Galle, Kuruppu said that he is young, and an up-and-coming bowler, but needs the experience of playing at the highest level. He came into limelight over the last couple of years. So he needs to learn a lot and this could be a tour that he could gain experience playing with the senior hands. We’ll have to see how it goes.

There will be a two-day practice game, and thereafter only, we could decide on the final composition of the team.

Talking about the Murali-Mendis combination that rattled the Indians some months ago, but has lost it’s sting against them this time around, Kuruppu said that whenever a newcomer gets in they perform well in the first couple of series. Then of course, when the players identify their bowling style and their method of bowling, they’ll always play better. Then again it’s up to the bowler to come back with something new and try to out think the batsman.

Ajantha is going through the same process. We should not forget that Mendis was injured prior to the tour of Bangladesh and is still recovering. But that’s not an excuse for him for not performing well. In this longer version of the game he would have enough time to recover and come back and give his best for the country.

Tharanga Paranavithana (left) and Suranga Lakmal - two “freshers” in the Sri Lanka squad to Pakistan for Tests against Pakistan. Pictures by Susantha Wijegunasekera

Kuruppu, referring to Mahela Jayawardene stepping down from the captaincy, said that he had timed it well because he waited till the Indian tour was over and he has enough time before the Pakistan tour, so that the team would settle in, and also have given the selectors a fair amount of time to select the new captain and think about the World Cup which is two years away. So, from Mahela’s point of view he has given enough time for the think tanks of Sri Lanka Cricket to decide on the key issue. He believed that the tour would not be effected, because Mahela will be captaining the side.

Sri Lanka embarked on their ninth Test cricket tour to Pakistan last evening to meet their counterparts in two Tests.

The first begins at the National Stadium Karachi on February 21.

The two countries have met each other in Test matches on 32 occasions previously and Pakistan has won 15 Tests to Sri Lanka’s 7 with 10 ending in draws. The first official Test since Sri Lanka gained full Test status was played in 1981/82 in Pakistan where the home team won 2/0 in the three Test series.

The most significant win by Sri Lanka came in 1995 when they beat Pakistan for the first time 2/1 in a series win in Pakistan under the captaincy of Arjuna Ranatunga, after losing the first Test by an innings and 40 runs at Peshawar. He won both the remaining Tests at Faizalabad and Sialkot convincingly. Rameez Raja was the Pakistan captain.

Sri Lanka has a better tally of 6 Test wins in Pakistan. rather than the solitary win at home recorded in 1985/86 under the respective captains Duleep Mendis and Imran Khan. In 1995 Sri Lanka beat the home team 2/1, In 1999/2000 too, the Lankans recorded wins in Rawalpindi and Peshawar. Pakistan won the third and final Test in Karachi. Sri Lanka also beat Pakistan in the Asian Test Championship 2001/2002 in Lahore and also beat Pakistan to level the series 1/1 in 2004/05 in a three Test series.

Sri Lanka: Mahela Jayawardene (Captain), Kumar Sangakkara (V. Captain), Malinda Warnapura, Tharanga Paranvithana, Chamara Kapugedera, Thilan Samaeaweera, T. M. Dilshan, Prasanna Jayawardena (WK), Chaminda Vaas, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis, Farveez Maharoof, Dilhara Fernando, Thilan Thushara Mirando, Suranga Lakmal.

Coach: Trevor Bayliss, Asst. Coach: Paul Farbrace, Trainer: Jade Roberts, Computer Analyst: Nalin de Alwis, Physio: Bandula Nanayakkarawasam to make way for Tommy Simsek in Pakistan and Masseur: Lal Thamel.