Sri Lanka haven’t played Test cricket since March, while Pakistan welcomed a big triumph over the number one-ranked South Africa in Abu Dhabi as recently as October, leaving this week’s series opener potentially lopsided.
The Sri Lankans, though, have the opposition’s top order to exploit. Indeed, captain Misbah-ul-Haq and the veteran Younis Khan are veritable bedrocks, but openers Shan Masood and Khurram Manzoor lack experience – while the recalled Mohammad Hafeez’s Test match struggles are well documented.
Teams wax lyrical ad nauseam about the threat posed by spinner Saeed Ajmal – and this is certainly the case when coupled with fellow slow bowler Abdur Rehman, at a Sheikh Zayed Stadium that has treated the duo very well this year.
The visitors have selected a young contingent amid a squad otherwise lined with the experience of stalwarts Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara. One eye, certainly, as been cast to the future in selecting this touring party. Coach Graham Ford, too, will want to sign off on a high before being succeeded by incumbent Paul Fabrace.
Test cricket retiree Tillakaratne Dilshan requires an appropriate replacement, while a successor for the ageing Rangana Herath is arguably a bigger demand. Opportunity, then, knocks for the talented Kaushal Silva and Sachithra Senanayake.
Conditions, meanwhile, are bound to be the most competitive of the venues on offer for this three-match series. What Dubai brings in Gulf green and Sharjah suggests through run-heavy pitches, Abu Dhabi delivers with bountiful balance.
Key Men
Seamer Umar Gul brings a welcome partner for left-hander Junaid Khan. Gul’s comeback was marked by success in the ODI series, and is likely to continue.
Opener Dimuth Karunaratne was pushed up and down the order during the one-dayers, but has the chance to be the mainstay at the top of the knock in the absence of Dilshan.
Last Five Head-To-Head Results
2012: Third Test: Match drawn in Pallekele
2012: Second Test: Match drawn in Colombo
2012: First Test: Sri Lanka won by 209 runs in Galle
2011: Third Test: Match drawn in Sharjah
2011: Second Test: Pakistan won by nine wickets in Dubai
Probable Teams
Pakistan: Khurram Manzoor, Shan Masood, Mohammad Hafeez, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Asad Shafiq, Adnan Akmal, Saeed Ajmal, Abdur Rehman, Umar Gul, Junaid Khan.
Sri Lanka: Kaushal Silva, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Prasanna Jayawardene, Rangana Herath, Sachithra Senanayake, Nuwan Kulasekara, Suranga Lakmal.
Dates: 31 December to 4 January
Morning session: 10:00-12:00 (06:00-08:00 GMT)
Afternoon session: 12:40-14:40 (08:40-10:40 GMT)
Evening session: 15:00-17:00 (11:00-13:00 GMT)
On-field umpires: Bruce Oxenford and Sundaram Ravi
Third umpire: Richard Kettleborough
Match referee: Javagal Srinath
