Dominant Pakistan to face Sri Lanka in 1st T20I today

Pakistan will target another powerful show when they meet Sri Lanka in the first of three T20 internationals in Abu Dhabi today.

After losing Test series 2-0 against Sri Lanka, Sarfraz XI made a remarkable comeback as went on to defeat the visitors 5-0 in the One Day Internationals (ODIs). Now both sides with face each other in three T20Is.

Pakistan, who start the Twenty20 fixtures as strong favourites, with Sri Lanka a lowly eighth, have won nine of their last 11 Twenty20 internationals.

If they sweep the T20 series against Sri Lanka, ending in Lahore three days later, they will come within a point of first-place New Zealand and could go top if India beat the Black Caps in a three-match series next month.

“It was highly satisfying to win 5-0 because all the players have done well in all three departments,” said Sarfraz during presser on Wednesday. “The best thing is that youngsters have done well and made an impact whenever they got a chance.”

But the Pakistan captain does not rate Sri Lanka as weak, even though the Sri Lankan selectors were forced to announce a new look team once Upul Tharanga, the regular skipper, Suranga Lakmal, Chamara Kapugedera, Akila Dananjaya and Lasith Malinga all pulled out of the tour due to security fears.

“Yes, Amir will be back and that adds to our weapons in bowling,” said Sarfraz, who will miss T20 specialist Rumman Raees who was ruled out with an elbow injury.