The ODI Series between Sri Lanka and Pakistan could not have been better poised as these two Asian Giants meet in the 4th ODI of the 5 Match Series at Colombo. The series is tied at 1-1 with the 3rd ODI being washed out due to rain. Weather forecasts say that there are fair chances of rain today as well in Colombo and this match too could be spoiled due to the Rain Gods. The match is scheduled to start at 2.30 pm Local Time.
Sri Lanka got their act together in the last two games in all the three departments and will like to continue in the same fashion. Captain Mahela Jayawardene is back in form with the bat as he scored a belligerent 53 in the 2nd ODI. He has lead the side well in since he was given back the captaincy in February this year and Sri Lanka have only improved as a team since then. Tillakaratne Dilshan is going to be the key man along with Kumar Sangakkara. Sangakkara needs to get back into form as early as possible because he is a man that can play well against any attack in adverse conditions. The Colombo pitch promises to be a good track to bat on in the first innings and will slow down as the game progresses. The Sri Lankan spinners will play a crucial role and Malinga along with Kulasekara would try to get some early breakthroughs.
Pakistan have adjusted to the slow Sri Lankan wickets very well and are playing some seriously good cricket under Misbah ul Haq. Pakistan will be going all guns blazing today because they know that the team which loses today's game will lose the chance of winning the series. Pakistan began the series on a good note but played poorly in the last two games. They would be desperately trying hard to get back some winning momentum behind them by winning today's clash. Shahid Afridi will be the man that Pakistan will be hoping to fire with the bat and the ball as he did in the T20 Series. Md.Hafeez, Umar Akmal and Misbah ul Haq will hold the key with the bat and one of them will have to play deep into the innings. Saeed Ajmal has bowled fantastically so far in the series especially at the death. Umar Gul and Sohail Tanvir will be opening the bowling with the new ball with Md. Sami being the other seam bowling option.
POWERPLAYERS
SRI LANKA-Dilshan, Sangakkara, Jayawardene, Perera, Malinga.
PAKISTAN-Hafeez, Misbah, Afridi, Ajmal, Tanvir.
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