Saud Shakeel, spinners in focus as Sri Lanka look to draw level

Sri Lanka were outplayed in the first Test in Galle, and the action now shifts to the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo for the second Test, where the hosts will look to draw level. The SSC has not hosted a Test since 2018; hence there will be a sense of unfamiliarity that hangs over the heads of both teams. 

With a 1-0 lead in the series, Pakistan will be quietly confident of faring well, but one cannot discount Sri Lanka, who have in the past, shown that they can bounce back, especially in home conditions.

Pacers to have the edge?

Traditionally, while spinners have edge an overwhelming edge at the SSC, if you look at the break-up in first-class cricket in 2023, it is pretty much even-steven. While the pacers (50.3%) have struck every 22.7 runs, 50.5 deliveries apart, the spinners (49.7%) have not fared as well, striking once every 33 runs, 54.4 balls apart. 

The combination Sri Lanka played in the first Test seems to be ideal. They went in with two frontline seamers and two spinners, with Dhananjaya de Silva chipping in with a few part-time off-spin. If they feel the need for a third pacer, they have Dilshan Madushanka in the squad. It remains to be seen whether Sri Lanka will look at changing from their tried and tested combination. 

The invincible Saud Shakeel

Pakistan seem to have found a gem of a batter in Saud Shakeel, who, with each passing match, seems to take his game to a new level. Shakeel, in this Test, has a chance to level with Don Bradman, who brought up his 1,000 Test runs in 13 innings. Shakeel needs just 172 runs to reach the milestone. If he achieves that in this game, he will become the fastest to 1,000 Test runs this century, going past Graeme Smith.

Here's Anirudh S explaining how good the southpaw has been.

What has been his strength?

Unfortunately for Sri Lanka, they do not have a leg-spinner. Shakeel has struggled against them, scoring at an average of 34 and has been dismissed by them twice. However, he has been outstanding against off-spinners and orthodox spinners, scoring at an average of 121 and 301, respectively. 

In his brief career so far, Shakeel has struggled against right-arm pacers, especially when they have bowled over the wicket to him. He has scored at an average of 29 and struck at a strike-rate of just 26. He is yet to be dismissed by left-arm quicks, having played 48 deliveries against them without getting out.

Other than Kasun Rajitha, Sri Lanka do not have another right-arm pacer. However, they could count on Angelo Mathews to chip in with a few overs if needed. 

Sri Lanka should stick to their strengths

Out of the 122 wickets to fall, spinners have picked up 103 in Tests in Sri Lanka since 2022. Despite the fact that the SSC could favour pacers, slightly more than Galle, the Sri Lankan's strength have been their spinners. 

Out of 118 wickets picked up by Sri Lanka in Tests at home since 2018 (excluding run-outs) 75% have been picked up by Prabath Jayasuriya and Ramesh Mendis. 

Middle-order to the rescue

The middle-order for both Sri Lanka and Pakistan have been among the most consistent ones in the world. In the 4-7 positions, the Sri Lanka batters are the best in the world, averaging 44.2, only behind England (44.6) in Tests since 2022. Pakistan, too are not far behind with an average of 43. In fact, Sri Lanka and Pakistan have the best balls per wicket ratio (82), making them two of the best teams when it comes to their middle-order.

Likely XIs:

Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dinesh Chandimal, Sadeera Samarawickrama (wk), Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha

Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Babar Azam (c), Saud Shakeel, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Agha Salman, Nauman Ali, Abrar Ahmed, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah