Eyes on the prize: Pakistan looking 4-1 thing only

KARACHI:

Pakistan will have a chance to cement their dominance over hosts Sri Lanka in the ongoing ODI series when the two teams square-off in the final match of the five-match series, which has already been won by the visitors 3-1.

While the result of the dead rubber may have no bearing on the series, it will have a massive impact on the tourists’ chances of qualifying for the 2017 Champions Trophy.

The men in green can consolidate the eighth and final spot in the ICC Champions Trophy qualification race with a win, taking them to 92 points, four ahead of ninth-placed West Indies. The Caribbean side will have to scramble in order to arrange a series against a team in the top seven after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) shelved plans of playing a triangular series in Zimbabwe.

Read: 1st ODI: Azhar Ali believes team knows what to expect from Sri Lanka

On the other hand, it is an opportunity to regain some pride for Sri Lanka and give their new players the confidence that they can win even in the absence of recently retired talismans Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene.

Pakistan taking no risks, field unchanged side

Pakistan are planning to go into the fifth ODI with an unchanged squad as they are keen to win the final match.

“It is an important match for us so we can’t take any chances by shuffling around a winning combination just to give opportunities to other players,” a touring member of the team told The Express Tribune.

Read: Champions Trophy: Zimbabwe tri-series irks Bangladesh

“The players have gelled together well and everyone is performing their roles very well so changes may not be a good idea. Everyone in the team understands how crucial the last one-dayer is for us and they are eager to finish the series on a high, and a win will almost certainly secure our place in the Champions Trophy.”

The Pakistan team practiced in Hambantota on Saturday to shake off rustiness after a five-hour drive to the venue from Colombo by bus. The team reached the hotel on Thursday night and then had a light training session on Friday.

Rest Irfan, advises Basit

Former Test cricketer Basit Ali feels that Pakistan should rest lanky pacer Mohammad Irfan because he already had bowled a lot in the series having just recently come back from a long injury lay-off.

Irfan had been out of the national side ever since he picked up a hip injury in the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, and missed the following series against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.

“I feel that Pakistan should rest Irfan to make sure he is not overused and remains fit for the remainder of the season,” said Basit. “Otherwise, Pakistan don’t need to change anyone else because the whole team is playing really well.”

The former batsman also expressed his satisfaction with the starts Pakistan have been getting with the bat. “Most importantly, our top-order has started to score consistently which is really helping Pakistan – whether they bat first or second. In the last match, it was the opening partnership that set the tone, allowing us to chase down a potentially tricky 256-run target with ease.  The team management should not shuffle the batting order now because it seems settled.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 26^th, 2015.

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