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Mahela Jayawardene would want to send Tom Moody, whose last game this is as Sri Lanka's coach, off with a victory
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Just over a week ago, before the start of the Abu Dhabi series, it was
hard to imagine a young Pakistan team, with a new captain and without the
services of a coach, would go into the final ODI having already wrapped up
the series. The twin wins appeared convincing thanks
mainly to Shahid Afridi, who reminded us that he can score once in a while
even as he has, as noted time and again, matured immensely with the other half of
his allrounder status.
While Shoaib Malik, who impressed with some bold decisions
in the field as well as his democratic consultation acts, aims for a
whitewash, he made it clear that newcomers will get a chance to feature in
the final match. Abdul Razzaq, with a poor series so far since returning from a knee
injury, and Umar Gul, the highest wicket-taker in the series but at an
expensive rate, will probably make way for the left-arm duo of Fawad Alam
(allrounder) and Najaf Shah (medium pacer).
Mohammad Sami, who has toiled zealously in searing temperatures, looks all
set to be rested with Rao Iftikhar likely to take up his place. Mohammad
Hafeez, an opener and a useful offspinner but with ordinary averages,
could also play a part providing Mohammad Yousuf, who has so far struggled
with the bat and looked sluggish in the field, or Imran Nazir, affected by
cramps in the second match, are dropped.
For Sri Lanka, the match marks the end of Tom Moody's regime as their coach. Taking over from John Dyson in 2005, the highlight of Moody's stint with Sri Lanka was guiding them to the final of the World Cup. Mahela Jayawardene, Sri Lankan captain, would understandably want to send
Moody off with a victory.
The series for Sri Lanka has been mostly about blooding a few new faces as well as giving second chances. And due to this, they have come out second best in all departments of the game, including catching. Sri Lanka go into the final match with Farvez Maharoof as their
highest scorer, as well as the highest wicket taker, and while the services of notable absentees have been severely missed, they would want to take something from this trip.
Sanath Jayasuria and Lasith Malinga, members of the World Cup squad, were
both rested for the last match could very well make it back to the eleven
to avoid an embarrassing whitewash weeks after a hugely successful World
Cup campaign. Malinga Bandara, bar that 32-run over in the first match,
has impressed with his flighted legspinners and looks likely to assist
Tillakaratne Dilshan in keeping the batsmen quiet.
By the looks of things, whatever the outcome of the final match, both
teams will go back a relieved unit; Pakistan will be satisfied with its
new captain and the mixture of youth and experience bonding so effectively
while a depleted and worn out Sri Lanka, showing signs of exhaustion, will be happy to get a break before some of its players star in the Afro-Asia tournament next month.
Faras Ghani is an editorial assistant on Cricinfo