Pakistan v Sri Lanka, 1st T20: Where to Watch, Preview and Team News

Pakistan take on Sri Lanka in the first of the two T20 games in Dubai as the Lankans look to strengthen their position as the top ranked team in the shortest format of the game.

Where to Watch

Play is scheduled to start at 4pm GMT. Live coverage of the game will be available on the Cricinfo website.

Overview

Sri Lanka will be battling for the top spot ahead of the T20 World Cup in March and a 2-0 loss here will see them lose the top spot to Pakistan. A 1-1 draw will keep them at the top and a 2-0 whitewash will further extend their position. Lanka have gone from strength to strength in the past couple of years in this format, with the likes of Lasith Malinga, Kumar Sangakkara and Angelo Mathews making themselves proud in the Indian Premier League.

They will be looking to make a few changes to their regular squad as they look for the most balanced side to take to the World Cup next year. Eyes will also be on Malinga, who has taken only four wickets in his last eight T20s and the team will be hoping that their star bowler is able to gain some much needed form in this tournament, failing which will be a major blow to their chances of lifting the T20 Championship.

Pakistan will come into the match full of confidence, having defeated South Africa on their own turf a couple of weeks back. A win here will be a major statement of intent from the South Asian side who have failed to live up to their billing in recent years. Pakistan will also be looking to mix and match and get a proper run going before the World Cup next March.

Team Guide

Pakistan

Probable Line-Up: Ahmed Shehzad, Sharjeel Khan, Mohammad Hafeez (capt), Sohaib Maqsood, Umar Akmal (wk), Shahid Afridi, Umar Amin, Bilawal Bhatti/Zulfiqur Babar, Sohail Tanvir, Saeed Ajmal, Junaid Khan

Sri Lanka

Probable Line-Up: Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kusal Perera Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Dinesh Chandimal (capt), Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera, Ramith Rambukwella, Nuwan Kulasekara, Sachithra Senanayake, Lasith Malinga, Ajantha Mendis