Rival captains Tillakaratne Dilshan and Misbah-ul-Haq have different concerns going into the second of three Tests between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at Dubai cricket stadium from Wednesday.
Dilshan hopes his batsmen pull up their socks and score big in the first innings after being bowled out for a mere 197 in the first Test which ended in a draw at Abu Dhabi last week.
It needed Kumar Sangakkara’s brilliant 211 and Prasanna Jayawardene’s fighting 120 to save Sri Lanka from defeat, but not before Pakistani’s fielders dropped as many as seven catches.
Dilshan said he hopes for a better batting show.
“We had discussions on which area to improve and did that in training sessions. As a batting unit we are fully prepared to do well in this Test,” said Dilshan, whose team has drawn nine and lost three of their last 12 Tests.
Dilshan, under whom Sri Lanka have yet to win in seven Tests, showed confidence his team will carry the fight into the second match. “Confidence is really high the way we made a comeback (against Sri Lanka) and did so many things to save it,” said Dilshan. The Sri Lankan skipper said the pitch at Dubai stadium was firm and carried bounce.
“I have seen the pitch, its different to the Abu Dhabi strip and might have extra bounce and give help to the bowlers, and I think over all it looks like a good Test wicket,” he said.
“Maybe we will try to bring in another fast bowler or spinner to get more edge in bowling. We have still not decided on that but we might do it.”
Sri Lanka also have uncapped Kosala Kulasekara and the experienced Dhammika Prasad to bolster their pace attack.
Misbah said his players have practiced fielding drills.
“After such a (bad) performance in the field, we got two days so we have worked really hard on that, let’s hope for the best in the second Test,” said Misbah, who played down a slight niggle to Umar Gul.
“Gul’s ok, a little bit of stiffness, but no problem. We have all 15 players available for selection.”
Pakistan may bring in experienced paceman Wahab Riaz in place of Aizaz Cheema who managed just two wickets in the first Test. Misbah agreed the Dubai pitch will have more bounce.
“The last time when we played here, it had a bit more turn and a bit more bounce, but I don’t know how it will be this time. But as the match progresses, it gives more turn and bounce so it’s different from Abu Dhabi,” he added.
Pakistan held off a stiff challenege from South Africa in Dubai — the first-ever Test at the venue last year — after being set a big 381-run target.
