Pakistan seek ODI revival in Sri Lanka series
DAMBULLA: With the Test series in the bag, Pakistan will now focus on the one-dayers against Sri Lanka from Saturday that could determine their qualification for the Champions Trophy in...
July 10, 2015
Misbah-ul Haq´s tourists won the Tests 2-1 by chasing down a target of 377 for the loss of just three wickets after being 13-2 in the decisive final match in Pallekele on Tuesday.
Pakistan achieved the sixth highest successful chase in history through a brilliant unbeaten 171 from Younis Khan, 125 from opener Shan Masood and 59 not out from Misbah.
But none of these batsmen will be seen in action when the five-match one-day series opens in Dambulla -- with Misbah having retired from limited-overs cricket and both Younis and Masood not selected.
Top order batsman Azhar Ali will lead the ninth-ranked tourists who need a series win to keep their hopes alive of qualifying for the eight-nation Champions Trophy in England.
"This is obviously a very important series for us and we will make sure we play well and win," Azhar said. "Most of the players know what to expect in Sri Lanka. We are ready."
Pakistan have struggled in one-day cricket in recent months after being knocked out by eventual champions and hosts Australia in the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Adelaide in March.
Azhar´s men suffered a 3-0 embarrassment at the hands of Bangladesh in April, before beating lowly Zimbabwe 2-0 in their first home series since the 2009 militant attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore. (AFP)
