The series finale at Dambulla brings the two teams together again. Sri Lanka’s batting hopes rest on captain Charith Asalanka together with Kusal Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Dasun Shanaka and Dhananjaya de Silva, who are expected to shoulder most of the scoring.
With the ball, Sri Lanka will focus on Mahesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Wanindu Hasaranga, Nuwan Thushara and Shanaka to strike at key moments and keep Pakistan in check.
Pakistan’s batting is built around openers Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan, backed by captain Salman Agha, wicketkeeper Usman Khan and the experienced Fakhar Zaman, who will be asked to set a strong total. In the bowling department the spin trio of Shadab Khan, Abrar Ahmed and Mohammad Nawaz is central to their plans for breakthroughs, while Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Wasim Jr lead the pace attack. A balanced unit like this gives Pakistan a slight edge.
Conditions in Dambulla tend to reward adaptability, with the pitch slowing as the evening wears on and the humid air possibly bringing dew into play. Whichever side adjusts faster to those changes, particularly in the middle overs, should control the finale of the series.
