Pakistan’s record in UAE at stake

DUBAI: Pakistan’s record in UAE at stake, as Sri Lanka aim to clinch the Test series when they meet the Green-shirts in second and final Test -- a day-night affair with pink ball -- at Dubai stadium on starting from Friday.

The 39-year-old Rangana Herath took 6-43 on the final day to fail Pakistan´s modest 136-run chase in the first Test in Abu Dhabi on Monday.

The islanders managed to grab a 21-run victory which give them a unique chance for a series win over Pakistan on their neutral venues of United Arab Emirates where they have never lost a series in nine attempts.

They have won five and drawn four series in the UAE ever since the 2009 terrorist attacks on the Sri Lankan team bus forced them to play home matches out of Pakistan.

Herath exposed the new batting line up of Pakistan, playing without their batting greats Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq for the time since they retired in May this year.

Sri Lankan skipper Dinesh Chandimal described Herath as "a team man and an asset."

"I have no idea how long he is going to play, but I am sure he will do what he can for the team," said Chandimal of Herath who completed 400 wickets in his 84th Tests in Abu Dhabi. "He is a team man and an asset."

On the other hand, Sarfraz Ahmed hopes Pakistan team moves on from the defeat in his first Test as captain.

"We will do our best to be more positive against Herath," said Sarfraz. "We have never lost in UAE so it´s also important to keep that record intact."

Pakistan will be assess pacer Hasan Ali in the next two days after he had fitness issues while they also hope spearhead Mohammad Amir returns to form with the pink ball after going wicketless in the first Test.

Debutant Haris Sohail provided a positive in the batting after scores of 76 and 34 while Azhar Ali scored 85.

The match will be the sixth day-night Test after the innovation was first adopted by Australia when they took on New Zealand at Adelaide in 2015.

Squads

Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed (capt), Azhar Ali, Shan Masood, Sami Aslam, Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Usman Salahuddin, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Asghar, Bilal Asif, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas, Wahab Riaz

Sri Lanka: Dinesh Chandimal (capt), Lahiru Thirimanne, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kaushal Silva, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Roshen Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Rangana Herath, Lakshan Sandakan, Dilruwan Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Gamage