Injury-hit Sri Lanka have the tough task of trying to blank Pakistan in a three-match one-day home series starting here on Friday. Former world champions Sri Lanka need to win all three matches to ensure a direct entry in the Champions Trophy tournament in India later this year.
But with former captain Sanath Jayasuriya, veteran seamer Chaminda Vaas and emerging fast bowler Ruchira Perera on the injury list, their chances of avoiding the qualifiers looks difficult.
Although a 2-1 verdict could also make them one of the six teams gaining a direct entry, the results of the upcoming India-England series would then come into consideration as the cut-off date is April 1.
The home side are currently ranked seventh in the International Cricket Counci (ICC) ratings, just one point below England.
"We are aware of what is needed but we were second in the rankings not too long ago. A poor series in India has cost us a lot," said captain Marvan Atapattu about their 6-1 defeat in India last year.
"It is a big series and to lose our two main players is something that's very hard to bear. But I am sure the guys who take their places will give their 100 per cent," Atapattu added.
With the injuries to opener Jayasuriya (thigh) and left-armers Chaminda Vaas (side strain) and Ruchira Perera (hamstring), batsman Jehan Mubarak and pacemen Lasith Malinga and Dhammika Prasad have been named as replacements.
Sri Lanka and Pakistan have also mutually agreed to scrap the super-sub rule for the series. They will name super-subs but won't use them as the ICC has decided to do away with the rule after March 21.
"The one-day game requires quick decisions and when the super-sub comes into play it's yet another headache for the captain. On a personal note I prefer if we don't have the rule," Atapattu said. Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer said he wasn't in favour of the rule.
"The rule obviously favours the side that wins the toss and therefore it's wrong," said Woolmer.
"A lot of captains who have played the game for many years like New Zealand's Stephen Fleming and Australian Ricky Ponting like 11 players and so do we."
Pakistan lost a recent one-day series at home to India by a 4-1 margin but Woolmer said he expected his team to be on top form.
"The one-day defeats against India were disappointing but our final goal is the 2007 World Cup. We have identified what went wrong and I am sure the boys have learned from them," Woolmer added.
THE TEAMS (FROM):
PAKISTAN: Inzamam-ul-Haq (capt), Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Abdul Razzaq, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal, Salman Butt, Danish Kaneria, Naved-ul-Hasan, Imran Farhat, Faisal Iqbal, Umar Gul, Mohammad Asif, Abdur Rehman and Tahir Khan.
SRI LANKA: Marvan Atapattu (capt), Mahela Jayawardene, Jehan Mubarak, Upul Tharanga, Kumar Sangakkara, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Russel Arnold, Chamara Kapugedera, Farveez Maharoof, Malinga Bandara, Muttiah Muralitharan, Nuwan Kulasekara, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Lasith Malinga and Dhammika Prasad. Umpires: Steve Davis (AUS) and Asoka de Silva (SRI)
THIRD UMPIRE: Tyrone Wijewardene (SRI)
MATCH REFEREE: Alan Hurst (AUS).
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