Sri Lanka on the back foot to save series

Pakistan are determined to reverse the 2-1 result they suffered at the hands of Sri Lanka in the home series in March this year. Skipper Moin Khan has repeatedly said the entire team was focussed on achieving that goal. Winning the first Test by five wickets at the SSC grounds inside four days was one step towards achieving the objective. With everything going their way, Moin’s only concern is off-spinner Muthiah Muralitharan.

"Muralitharan is such a great bowler, he is the only threat for us. Two of the most experienced cricketers Javed Miandad and Wasim Akram are helping our batsmen to counter his spin," said Moin.

All-rounder Akram has peaked with bat and ball while Sri Lanka is struggling in their batting and fielding, two areas where they once excelled. Crucial catches have been dropped and batting — with a mixture of youth and experience — has not produced the scores they are capable of.

Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya rapped his batsmen for their failure and called on his top order to shoulder more responsibility. "We have a very good side, and we can come back if we fight them hard," said Jayasuriya.

For many senior players this Test is a do-or-die effort. Failure on their part to produce the goods will cost them their place in the final Test at Kandy.

Sudden downpours like the one which forced both teams to abandon final practice sessions on Tuesday are expected and curator Jayananda Warnaweera said the pitch was result-oriented and would turn appreciably for the spinners as the game progressed. Knowing the assistance it would give the slow bowlers, Sri Lanka recalled left-arm spinner Rangana Herath to support off-spinner Muthiah Muralitharan. Ravindra Pushpakumara is also back to support Chaminda Vaas as Sri Lanka opts for a four-man pace and spin attack.

Pakistan are likely to go in with an unchanged side.

The teams

SRI LANKA: Sanath Jayasuriya (captain), Marvan Atapattu, Russel Arnold, Aravinda de Silva, Mahela Jayawardene, Arjuna Ranatunga, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Chaminda Vaas, Muthiah Muralitharan, Ravindra Pushpakumara, Rangana Herath, Upul Chandana.

PAKISTAN: Moin Khan (captain), Saeed Anwar, Mohammad Wasim, Younis Khan, Yousuf Youhana, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Abdur Razzaq, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Mushtaq Ahmed, Arshad Khan, Imran Nazir.

Umpires: Asoka de Silva (Sri Lanka) and Russel Tiffin (Zimbabwe)