Rival captains Tillakaratne Dilshan and Misbah-ul Haq were looking for a positive batting performance when Sri Lanka and Pakistan resume their rivalry in the second match of a three-Test series on Wednesday at Dubai Sport City's international cricket stadium. 

Misbah said his batsmen had talked about adopting a more positive approach after their effort in the first Test in Abu Dhabi where they took 174.4 overs to score 511-6 in their first innings and then ran out of time to win the match on the final day.

“We want to play more positively. When you’re on top then you can lead and you’ve got to press the pedal,” said the Pakistan captain.

Sri Lanka will take heart from the fact that they escaped with a draw after being dismissed for 197 in the first innings thanks to Kumar Sangakkara's brilliant 211 and Prasanna Jayawardene's fighting 120 with some help from Pakistani fielders who dropped as many as seven catches.

"Confidence is really high the way we made a comeback (against Sri Lanka) and did so many things to save it," said Dilshan.

However, Misbah said despite Sri Lanka’s positivity at securing a draw in Abu Dhabi after trailing on first innings by 314, Pakistan still held the upper hand ahead of Wednesday’s action.

“We’ve got a lot more positives than Sri Lanka,” he said. “We got at least 30 wickets – with 20 wickets and the dropped catches – and that was a positive for us, and our batsmen scored well. We still have the edge on the other team.”

Dilshan said he hopes for a better batting display.

"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.

But he would not be adopting a more cautious approach with the bat despite the responsibility of being captain and with just one Test fifty in his last seven innings.

“When I cross the line I’m thinking I’m a batsman not a captain,” he said.

“In the field I’m thinking as a captain but when I’m batting I’m sticking to my game plan. I’m not going to change.”

Dilshan also said he was content to remain at number five in the order, although he admitted he might move up to open if the team sacrifices a batsman to fit in another bowler in order to try and get 20 wickets.

“I’m happy at five but it might be that we’ll play one less batsman and if we do I might have to open. But at the moment I’m happy at five,” he said.

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 challenge from South Africa in Dubai - the first-ever Test at the venue last year - after being set a big 381-run target.

Wednesday’s Test is the start of 34 days of international action over the next six months as Dubai Sports City gears up for its biggest season of cricket since the Dubai International Cricket Stadium opened in 2009.

The venue will host the first three ODIs in the Pakistan – Sri Lanka series on 11, 14 and 18 November. All those matches are day-night games and the first and last of them take place on Fridays.

Dubai International Cricket Stadium sees Pakistan play Sri Lanka in one Test and three ODIs in October and November before England arrives to face Pakistan in two Tests, two ODIs and two T20Is in January and February 2012. Then, in March, the Dubai International Cricket Stadium will host matches in the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier.

Entry prices for the Test range from free for the seating square of the wicket to Dh80 for Premium seating and Dh150 for Platinum seating. Tickets are valid for all five days of the Test.