Sri Lanka have more-or-less been the top-ranked T20 side in the world since September 2012, but no one will argue that it means much. T20 is the format most international sides forget about for 18 months in each two-year cycle. Sri Lanka are a full 13 rankings points clear of the next-best side, but have played only one T20I in the 16 months since winning the World T20.
But now, with the next World T20 in India on the horizon, sides are again dusting their T20 kits and beginning to put wheels in motion. Sri Lanka are taking the opportunity to experiment. Five uncapped players have been named in the squad, with captain Lasith Malinga seemingly intent on discovering one or two rough diamonds among them. Pakistan have played it slightly safer, but even they have uncapped left-arm seamer Zia-ul-Haq and rookie batsman Nauman Anwar in their squad.
Pakistan have outclassed Sri Lanka in both formats so far, but Sri Lanka have had their moments as well. with the young players often leading the hosts' good days. But with so much youth in the Sri Lanka side, Pakistan will like their chances of completing their third series victory on tour. Pakistan have also played more T20 cricket in recent months; they recently played Zimbabwe at home, as well as Bangladesh away, and their captain Shahid Afridi is coming off a Caribbean Premier League stint. A few low-key practice matches in Colombo is all the preparation Sri Lanka have had.
Source : Fantasy Cricket.
But now, with the next World T20 in India on the horizon, sides are again dusting their T20 kits and beginning to put wheels in motion. Sri Lanka are taking the opportunity to experiment. Five uncapped players have been named in the squad, with captain Lasith Malinga seemingly intent on discovering one or two rough diamonds among them. Pakistan have played it slightly safer, but even they have uncapped left-arm seamer Zia-ul-Haq and rookie batsman Nauman Anwar in their squad.
Pakistan have outclassed Sri Lanka in both formats so far, but Sri Lanka have had their moments as well. with the young players often leading the hosts' good days. But with so much youth in the Sri Lanka side, Pakistan will like their chances of completing their third series victory on tour. Pakistan have also played more T20 cricket in recent months; they recently played Zimbabwe at home, as well as Bangladesh away, and their captain Shahid Afridi is coming off a Caribbean Premier League stint. A few low-key practice matches in Colombo is all the preparation Sri Lanka have had.
Source : Fantasy Cricket.