New-look Pakistan face Sri Lanka today

Karachi, Feb 12: Pakistan launch their arduous task of rebuilding the team for the 2003 World Cup on Sunday when they face Sri Lanka in the first one-day international of the three-match series here at the 34,300-capacity National Stadium.

Three of the five uncapped players named for the series opener, Imran Abbas, Younis Khan and Yasir Arafat, are likely to make their international debut in a match which is already sold out.

Younis Khan, the Mardan-born 25-year-old, is probably the most consistent and graceful batsman on the domestic front. In his second first-class season (1999-2000), he has already aggregated over 1,100 runs with five centuries, including two double centuries.

Imran Abbas, the 21-year-old from Gujranwala, showed his potential in Sri Lanka's opening practice match scoring a fine 79. In the 1999-2000 season, he has totaled 990 runs with four centuries, including a double century. In the previous season, the youngster had scored over 750 runs.

Yasir Arafat showed that he has the spark and potential to become a useful all-rounder when he excelled in the Youth World Cup in Sri Lanka last month.

The most encouraging aspect of their appearance is that they are getting opportunities when they are in top form. Two other teenagers named in the team but who may not appear on Sunday - Faisal Iqbal and Zahid Saeed - are equally talented. But they may have to wait a little longer to get their first chance.

The five rookies, along with the experienced Aamir Sohail, Shahid Nazir and Imran Nazir, came into the squad after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) decided to make sweeping changes in the wake of poor performances in Australia by sidelining stalwarts like Inzamam-ul-Haq, Ijaz Ahmad and Shahid Afridi. While Imran Nazir is certain to be left out, Shahid Nazir is tied with off-spinner Shoaib Malik for the remaining slot. Shoaib may just edge out Shahid for his brilliant fielding and better batting prowess.

"We will have a final look at the wicket before deciding who will play," skipper Saeed Anwar told reporters at the National Stadium after his team's final work-out. "But these are the youngsters on whom we have pinned our hopes. They have our blessings and good wishes. I am confident that they will come upto our expectations, " Saeed, a veteran of 197 one-day internationals, added.

The return of Aamir Sohail provides Saeed Anwar with a dependable partner which the latter had been missing over the last 12 months. "Aamir's return will take a lot of pressure of me because he plays his strokes freely and keeps the scoreboard moving," Saeed said.

The Sri Lankans are bubbling in confidence after winning both their practice matches comprehensively and having the cushion of beating Australia in a triangular series final at home in August.

Unlike an inexperienced Pakistan middle-order, Sri Lanka have succeeded in strengthening their middle-order with Marvan Atapattu, Russel Arnold and Mahela Jayawardena all cementing their places.

Captain Sanath Jayasuriya, like his Pakistani counterpart, said the final lineup with the decided before the toss. He, however, ruled out 18-year-old off-spinner Muthumudalige Pushpakumara out of contention for the opening encounter. With such a strong middle-order to follow the explosive duo of openers Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana, Sri Lanka in all probability may prefer to chase the target.The National Stadium track has a history of assisting pacers in the first session before becoming a batsmen's paradise as a day progresses.

The pitch, prepared for the match, has a brownish look and appears to be firm and hard. With the ball expected to come at an even height and the outfield very fast, a high scoring game is on cards.

While both the teams are in a process of rebuilding, one thing which separates them is fielding. Pakistan is arguably the worst fielding side at the moment and concedes no less than 20-30 extra runs. On the contrary, the cricketers from the pearl island are real dashers on the field.

Despite the fact that the Pakistan squad went through an overhaul immediately after a whipping they received on the tour of Australia, they still enjoy a slight edge over Sri Lanka.

Pakistan, since the World Cup in England, have won 12 out of 18 matches. However, their pathetic performance in Australia has overshadowed an otherwise outstanding eight-match unbeaten run in Toronto (over West Indies) and in Sharjah (over West Indies and Sri Lanka).

Sri Lanka, on the contrary, have won just four out of the 10 matches, including a tied game against Pakistan at Sharjah. The two teams have previously met 76 times with Pakistan winning 49 matches Sri Lanka's 24. At the National Stadium, Sri Lanka's previous four visits have ended in despair while Pakistan have won eight matches in 16 appearances.

The 50-over-a-side match starts at 9:30 a.m. Former Test opener Sadiq Mohammad will be making his international debut as an umpire.

Pakistan (likely): Saeed Anwar (captain), Aamir Sohail, Younis Khan, Yousuf Youhana, Imran Abbas, Moin Khan, Abdur Razzaq, Wasim Akram, Yasir Arafat, Saqlain Mushtaq, Shoaib Malik, Faisal Iqbal (12th man), Shahid Nazir, Imran Nazir and Zahid Saeed.

Sri Lanka (from): Sanath Jayasuriya (captain), Romesh Kaluwitharana, Mahela Jayawardena, Marvan Atapattu, Russel Arnold, T.M Dilshan, Indika de Saram, Upul Chandana, Chaminda Vaas, Pramodiya Wickremasinghe, Muttiah Muralitharan, Nuwan Zoysa, Ravindra Pushpakumara, Muthumudalige Pushpakumara, Indika Gallage and Chamara Silva.

Umpires: Salim Badar and Sadiq Mohammad.

Tv umpire: Shakeel Khan.

Reserve umpire: Afzaal Ahmad.

Match referee: Brian Hastings (New Zealand).