da bet vitoria： Just over a week ago, before the start of the Abu Dhabi series, it washard to imagine a young Pakistan team, with a new captain and without theservices of a coach, would go into the final ODI having already wrapped upthe series
da fezbet： The Preview by Faras Ghani22-May-2007
Mahela Jayawardene would want to send Tom Moody, whose last game this is as Sri Lanka’s coach, off with a victory © Getty Images
Just over a week ago, before the start of the Abu Dhabi series, it washard to imagine a young Pakistan team, with a new captain and without theservices of a coach, would go into the final ODI having already wrapped upthe series. The twin wins appeared convincing thanksmainly to Shahid Afridi, who reminded us that he can score once in a whileeven as he has, as noted time and again, matured immensely with the other half ofhis allrounder status.While Shoaib Malik, who impressed with some bold decisionsin the field as well as his democratic consultation acts, aims for awhitewash, he made it clear that newcomers will get a chance to feature inthe final match. Abdul Razzaq, with a poor series so far since returning from a kneeinjury, and Umar Gul, the highest wicket-taker in the series but at anexpensive rate, will probably make way for the left-arm duo of Fawad Alam(allrounder) and Najaf Shah (medium pacer).Mohammad Sami, who has toiled zealously in searing temperatures, looks allset to be rested with Rao Iftikhar likely to take up his place. MohammadHafeez, an opener and a useful offspinner but with ordinary averages,could also play a part providing Mohammad Yousuf, who has so far struggledwith the bat and looked sluggish in the field, or Imran Nazir, affected bycramps in the second match, are dropped.For Sri Lanka, the match marks the end of Tom Moody’s regime as their coach. Taking over from John Dyson in 2005, the highlight of Moody’s stint with Sri Lanka was guiding them to the final of the World Cup. Mahela Jayawardene, Sri Lankan captain, would understandably want to sendMoody off with a victory.The series for Sri Lanka has been mostly about blooding a few new faces as well as giving second chances. And due to this, they have come out second best in all departments of the game, including catching. Sri Lanka go into the final match with Farvez Maharoof as theirhighest scorer, as well as the highest wicket taker, and while the services of notable absentees have been severely missed, they would want to take something from this trip.Sanath Jayasuria and Lasith Malinga, members of the World Cup squad, wereboth rested for the last match could very well make it back to the elevento avoid an embarrassing whitewash weeks after a hugely successful WorldCup campaign. Malinga Bandara, bar that 32-run over in the first match,has impressed with his flighted legspinners and looks likely to assistTillakaratne Dilshan in keeping the batsmen quiet.By the looks of things, whatever the outcome of the final match, bothteams will go back a relieved unit; Pakistan will be satisfied with itsnew captain and the mixture of youth and experience bonding so effectivelywhile a depleted and worn out Sri Lanka, showing signs of exhaustion, will be happy to get a break before some of its players star in the Afro-Asia tournament next month.
