Sub-continental giants Pakistan and Sri Lanka are preparing to lock horns in a three-match Test series starting this week and it’s a great chance for cricket fans in the UAE to appreciate some high quality cricketing encounter.
Misbah-ul Haq’s team won a keenly contested ODI series against the islanders 3-2 and will look to take that good form into the three match series.
Pakistan have a great year in the one-day format, having won seven ODI series in 2013, including against India and South Africa. They will now be keen to make use of their knowledge of the local conditions as they play Angelo Mathews’ team.
The first Test, starting on Tuesday, December 31, will be played at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, followed by the second match at the Dubai International Stadium from January 8 and the third Test in Sharjah from January 16.
All three cricketing venues in the Emirates will get to see some enthralling Test cricket and fans will be able to enjoy it in this excellent weather without any cost as entry for all the Test matches is free.
The Pakistanis drew the Test series here against the South Africans and will bank on their spinners Saeed Ajmal and Abdur Rehman to trouble the islanders.
Fast bowler Umar Gul made a triumphant return to the ODI side after nine months on the sidelines due to injury and has been rewarded with a Test recall. He will lead the attack with left-arm quick Junaid Khan.
Their batting will once again revolve around seniors Misbah, Younis Khan and Mohammad Hafeez – who has been in exceptional form, hitting three centuries against Sri Lanka in the recently concluded series.
Misbah himself backed Hafeez to replicate the good form in the Test series.
“I think Hafeez can come good because, as a batsman, you need to have the confidence and at the moment he has that confidence behind him. It will be same sort of pitches. There is nothing much in the UAE pitches especially in terms of swing and seam. So I think, he can do well,” the 39-year-old captain said.
Sri Lanka will be bolstered by the return of veteran batsman Mahela Jayawardene, who missed the limited overs series to be with his wife who gave birth to their first child.
Kumar Sangakkara will look to hold the innings together, now that Tillakaratne Dilshan has quit Test cricket. Their bowling will be led by left-arm spinner Rangana Herath and off-spinner Sachitra Senanayake with Nuwan Kulasekara being the lead seamer.
This will be the first major series for Angelo as Sri Lanka’s Test captain and he will be very keen to prove his mettle against Pakistan’s strong line-up. With so much on offer, fans in the UAE can look forward to some excellent cricket in brilliant surroundings.
What: Pakistan-Sri Lanka Test series
When: Starting in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, December 31, 2013 from 10:00.
Cost: Free entry
Where: Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, Dubai International Cricket Stadium and Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
Information: Log on to www.adcricketclub.ae for the Abu Dhabi Test, www.dubaisportscity.ae for the Dubai game and call +971 6 542 2991 for details on the Sharjah match.
