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28 March 2024

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 3rd ODI in Sharjah: Pakistan draft in Umar Gul

Published
By Agencies

Experienced pace bowler Umar Gul could make his international comeback next week following a nine-month injury break after being drafted into the Pakistan squad for the one-day series against Sri Lanka in the United Arab Emirates.

The five-match series is evenly poised, with both countries winning a cliffhanger each. The team winning the third ODI will get a massive psychological advantage in that they will have to lose both the remaining matches to lose the series whereas they will be just one victory away from sealing a series win.

The match is being telecast live on TV in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the UAE as well as India. It is also being streamed live on certain websites. Click here to track the match 'live' 

The 29-year-old Gul, who has been out of the national side since February due to a knee injury, will be available for selection after he joins the team on Sunday, the Pakistan Cricket Board said on Saturday.

"Gul is being flown to join the team on the request of the tour management and national selectors who want the bowling attack to be strengthened for the last three one-dayers," a board spokesman said.

Gul was injured during Pakistan's tour to South Africa and underwent knee surgery in Melbourne in May.

After completing his rehabilitation, the bowler returned to action in domestic cricket. Gul has taken 163 test, 161 one-day and 74 Twenty20 international wickets.

The five-match ODI series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka is tied at 1-1, with the remaining games scheduled for Sunday, Wednesday and Friday.  

Misbah concerned over death bowling in Sri Lanka series

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq urged his bowlers to improve their death bowling in the third one-day against Sri Lanka in Sharjah on Sunday.

Pakistan failed to defend a big 285-run target as Sri Lanka's batsmen benefited from sloppy end overs bowling to win the second one-day by two wickets in Dubai on Friday, levelling the five-match series 1-1.

Even in Pakistan's narrow 11-run win in the first game in Sharjah on Wednesday, Sri Lankan tail-enders cashed in on some poor end overs bowling and nearly chased down a daunting 323-run target.

Misbah said Pakistan were missing the experience of Mohammad Irfan and Umar Gul -- both out of the tour due to injuries.

"Death bowling is an issue for us, we need to address that if we want to win the series," said Misbah after Friday's game.

"Our fast bowling is not experienced and we are missing the experience of Irfan who had been doing well and also missing Gul."

Later Saturday Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced Gul will join the one-day squad as a cover for fellow paceman Junaid Khan who is struggling with fitness.

"Gul will join the squad on Sunday as cover," said PCB spokesman.

Gul has not played international cricket since a one-day in South Africa in March this year before he underwent knee surgery.

He was not selected for the Sri Lanka one-day series but regained fitness and impressed with his form in domestic matches back home.

On Friday, Sri Lanka needed a tough 85 in the last 10 overs when paceman Sohail Tanvir conceded 19 in one over, while Angelo Mathews (47) and Nuwan Kulasekara (32) upped the tempo in the last overs.

Sri Lanka needed 16 off the last two overs and four off the final when Sachithra Senanayake hit a boundary to seal the win.

Misbah said he was happy with the batting, led by opener Ahmed Shehzad's career best 124.

"I think our biggest problem used to be batting but I am really happy the way the batting is going," said Misbah.

Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews praised a good team effort.

"We had to work very hard for this win," said Mathews. "Everyone contributed in bits and pieces."

Mathews said the series would be close and tough for both the teams.

"We hope to win the series but it will be an exciting one... With Pakistan you have to fight all the time and need to be positive -- we can't give them a chance as they can knock us down so we have to be on our guards and be positive and that's what we did," said Mathews.

The last two matches will be played in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday and Friday.

Pakistan fined for slow over-rate in second ODI

Pakistan had salt rubbed into their wounds when they were fined for their slow over-rate durng a narrow two-wicket defeat against Sri Lanka on Friday.

Pakistan looked on course to win after posting a healthy 284 in their innings in the second one day international in Dubai, but the Sri Lankan tail-enders saw their team home with just two balls to spare.

And on Saturday the International Cricket Council (ICC) said Misbah-ul-Haq's team were one over short during the time allotted for the 50 overs.

"Match referee David Boon of Australia imposed the fines after Pakistan was ruled to be one over short of its target, after time allowances were taken into consideration," the ICC said in a statement.

In accordance with the ICC code of conduct, players are fined 10 per cent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time, with the captain fined double that amount.

The penalty was accepted by Pakistan without contest so there was no need for a hearing, the ICC said.

Sri Lanka's win on Friday levelled the five-match series at 1-1 after Pakistan had won the first match in Sharjah by 11 runs.

The third match will be played back in Sharjah on Sunday followed by the last two in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday and Friday.

Both teams will also play three Tests after the one-day series.