Following story was posted prior to the beginning of first T20 between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at Abu Dhabi on October 26, 2017.
The three-match T20 series between Sri Lanka and Pakistan has now bagged even more decisive significance after both the sides went through Test and ODI series, whitewashing each other respectively.
Now it has to be seen whether which side turns out to be holding better results in its favour at the end of Sri Lankan Tour to UAE and Lahore, encompassing two Test, five ODIs and three T20Is.
But again Pakistan is being deemed as an obvious favorite in T20 series against ‘very’ inexperienced Sri Lanka which will now be under the Command of a new Captain, Thisara Perera.
The first T20 will begin at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Thursday on 09:00 pm as per Pakistan Standard Time (PST).
Not only Sri Lanka will be led by a new Captain, replacing Upul Tharanga who refused to visit Pakistan for final T20 at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on October 29 but also 11 players of 16-member Sri Lankan squad have yet to begin their T20 international career.
Pakistan, enriched with young but very talented players, is currently at number 2 position in ICC T20 Rankings whereas Sri Lanka, struggling in both shorter formats of cricket – ODIs and T20s, is at number 8 position.
Though Sri Lanka suffered its 12th consecutive ODI defeat against Pakistan in last game of five-match series in Sharjah on October 23 but its T20 record in 2017 hasn’t been that bad.
This year, Sri Lanka beat South Africa and Australia in two away T20 series, and won five out of nine matches.
If a comparison is drawn between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in reference to bilateral T20 battles, the two sides have so far met 15 times. Pakistan won 10 times, registering a winning percentage of 66.66 while Sri Lanka clinched 5 victories.
Last time in a T20 match, they met at Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur (Bangladesh) on March 4, 2016 where Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by six wickets in 10th match of Asia Cup.
