Sri Lanka analyzed the Sheikh Zayed Cricket pitch more accurately than the home side Pakistan, as they selected three frontline spinners – Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perera and Lakshan Sandakan – in their playing XI for the first test.
First day if the test match suggests, the pitch could very well play villain in the first test between Sri Lanka and pakistan. A cover of grass on the pitch deceived the home team, as they selected three pacers in their playing XI. however, the pitch stayed low throughout the first day itself, made life difficult for the batsmen.
Safe to say, that spinners will have played a bigger role in the match, and it’s indeed an encouraging sign for Sri Lanka, as they have selected three spinners in their side.
“The wicket is not easy to bat. It’s getting slower and slower. It’s not easy to get runs quickly on this wicket” said Dimuth Karunaratne after the match, who made fighting 93 in 205 balls to put his team on a commendable position on day one.
The bowling strategy of Pakistan on the first day also gives an indication how pitch will play as the game progress. Despite three spinners in their side, Yasir Shah, the magician Leg-Spinner, bowled 34 overs on the first day pitch!
Now, if Sri Lanka manage to post a total around 350, they have three frontline spinners and part timers like Kusal Mendis, to make life difficult for Pakistani batsmen.
