Lankans meet PCB XI in 2nd practice match today

Karachi, Feb 9: The touring Sri Lanka play their last practice match prior to the one-day series against Pakistan when they face a Pakistan Cricket Board XI at the UBL Sports Complex here on Thursday.

The one-day series starts on Sunday here at the National Stadium.

There were doubts over a timely start after the city received unexpected heavy showers on Wednesday morning. But the square was well protected while the outfield dried out by the afternoon.

As safety precautions, the PCB had rushed its curators to visit the ground. Much to their relief, they were told that there wouldn't be a late start.

The match holds significant importance for, at least, two players - Younis Khan and Saqlain Mushtaq.

Younis comes into the game after having scored 1,100 runs in the current domestic season and being tipped as one of the players to be given Pakistan cap in Sunday's match.

As for Saqlain Mushtaq, he was a last-minute inclusion in the team after it was reported that the champion off-spinner was struggling with an injury.

"He played nine games in Australia but is still uncomfortable with the knee surgery he had last year. We want to see him one more time," an advisory panel member said.

Shabbir Ahmad, the lanky fast bowler who is suspended by the ICC following suspected bowling action, will also appear in the match.

Sri Lanka on Wednesday had a half day nets session at the National Stadium.

In their first warmup match, also against a PCB XI, the tourists recorded an easy eight-wicket victory on Tuesday at the National Stadium.

Sri Lanka: S.T. Jayasuriya (captain), R.S. Kaluwitharana, R.P. Arnold, D.P.M. de S. Jayawardena, M.S. Atapattu, T.M. Dilshan, S.I. de Saram, L.P.C. Silva, U.U. Chandana, I.S. Gallage, W.P.U.J.C. Vaas, G.P. Wickremasinghe, D.N.T. Zoysa, M. Muralitharan, M. Pushpakumara, K.R. Pushpakumara.

Umpires: Afzaal Ahmad and Islam Khan.