LAHORE, Jan 23: A batting-friendly track is likely to be on display for the series decider between Pakistan and Sri Lanka here at the Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.

Though the pitch prepared for the crucial match looks quite green, there were reports that after inspecting the strip with chief curator Agha Zahid on Friday evening, Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik asked for removal of the grass on the morning of the match.

However, Shoaib Malik and Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardene, in their pre-match press conference, did not appear too worried about the pitch behaviour as well as the toss factor.

“I have had a look at the pitch which has some pace in it, but on any pitch you have to perform to win,” Malik said. “Toss is not a big factor and the major task is that we have to restrict Sri Lanka to 250 or under. In case we bat first, our target will be 270 plus,” he added.

“A best combination for the crucial match will be finalised after having a team management meeting with coach before the match,” said Malik when asked about the possible changes for the game.

Jayawardene also played down the toss factor and said in all conditions he wanted a team work from the boys. “We have to work hard in all the departments and that is important for every player,” he said.

Pakistan inflicted an overwhelming eight-wicket defeat on Jayawardene’s men in the first ODI at Karachi but the visitors replied in similar fashion, drafting a big 129-run in the second clash at the same venue, leaving the third ODI here as the deciding one.

Pakistan are likely to make two changes for the crunch tie, giving rest to speedsters Shoaib Akhtar and Sohail Tanvir in favour of medium-fast Sohail Khan and off-spinner Saeed Ajmal.

However, it will be a tough challenge for Sohail to perform in this do-or-die game. The well-built pacer from Malakand has very little experience of ODIs to his credit, having claimed just four wickets in three outings for Pakistan.

But since Shoaib Akhtar’s performance in the series has raised various questions over his future, Malik is likely to go for Sohail.

In Karachi, Malik clearly expressed his concerns over Shoaib Akhtar’s future in Pakistan cricket. However, on Friday, Malik surprised many by taking a somersault on the issue and said he did not single out any player as he didn’t like to blame individuals for a bad performance.

“It was Shoaib Akhtar who alone proved a match-winner for Pakistan in various matches in the past. But when you are playing after a long lay off [14 months] you need some time to regain rhythm,” Malik said at the press conference on Friday.

The other pacer who failed to impress in Karachi ODIs was Sohail Tanvir who captured just one wicket for 85 against the Islanders.

Moreover, Shahid Afridi is also struggling with the leather and went for 89 runs for his one scalp.

When asked about the all-rounder’s chances, Malik defended Afridi and said he still deserved a place in the team because he had been bowling quite well. “When an all-rounder is playing a good role either in bowling or batting, he deserves a place in the team,” he said.

However, Malik said the best combination would be finalised before the start of the match after having a meeting with coach Intikhab Alam.

Commenting on his team’s chances on Saturday, Malik said both the teams had 50-50 chances of victory. “I can’t predict Pakistan win as both the teams are well balanced and it will be tough to earn victory without hard work,” he said.

“They [Sri Lanka] have world-class spinners but I am not taking them as a threat and we are focusing to keep them at bay,” he said.

Jayawardene said he did not consider Saturday’s game as a pressure tie, adding it was like a new challenge for which every player had to perform. “We are confident for tomorrow’s game and I am feeling confident after the manner in which we staged a come back by winning the second ODI,” he said.

“The team has shown a lot of character because it was not easy to play back-to-back matches and win convincingly. However, we have to start anew at this new venue and have to work hard to win the series but it will not be easy,” he said.

The match could well prove to be a memorable one for spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan who needs just four wickets to equal Wasim Akram’s ODI world record of 502 wickets.

The match begins at 11.30am (PST).

Teams:

Pakistan (from) - Shoaib Malik (captain), Salman Butt, Khurram Manzoor, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal (wicketkeeper), Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul, Sohail Tanvir, Rao Iftikhar, Sohail Khan, Saeed Ajmal, Yasir Arafat, Umar Amin.

Sri Lanka (from) - Mahela Jayawardene (captain), Tillekeratne Dilshan, Chamara Kapugedera, Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakara (wicketkeeper), Dilhara Fernando, Thilina Kandamby, Nuwan Kulasekara, Farveez Maharoof, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis, Jehan Mubarak, Thilan Tushara, Upul Tharaga, Angelo Mathews.