DAMBULLA (Sri Lanka), May 17: Sri Lanka and Pakistan are looking forward to a big knock from their leading batsmen when they clash in a triangular one-day cricket series match here on Sunday.

Top Sri Lankan run-getter Sanath Jayasuriya and star Pakistani batsman Yousuf Youhana have failed to do justice to their stature in the previous two matches dominated by bowlers on seamer-friendly tracks.

The left-handed Jayasuriya, with 9,062 runs and 16 centuries in 302 one-dayers, could not score against Pakistan and contributed 33 in the second game against New Zealand.

Sri Lanka expect him to show the way in the second-leg of preliminary league matches on seaming tracks where their batting has left a lot to be desired.

“There has been a long slump in our batting and I hope things improve in the remaining matches,” said Sri Lankan captain Marvan Atapattu, whose team made 120 against Pakistan before struggling to reach a 139-run target against New Zealand.

Jayasuriya holds the key to his team’s fortunes, for he is not only the most experienced batsman in the squad but also has the shots to dominate bowling on any surface.

Like Jayasuriya, Youhana also has not fired in the first-leg matches. The stylish middle-order Pakistani batsman, with 4,491 runs and eight centuries in 133 One-day Internationals, made two brief visits to the crease as he made one against Sri Lanka and nought against New Zealand.

Pakistani captain Rashid Latif said he expected an improved performance from his batsmen in the remaining matches.

“We are capable of batting better,” he said.

“Our performance was satisfactory in the first-leg considering the conditions (overcast weather and seaming pitches). But we can still do better, especially in batting.”

Rashid said his team’s biggest asset was that it had bowlers to deliver in crunch situations.

“Our bowlers can defend targets. They are capable of changing the course of a match anytime,” he said.

“Shoaib Akhtar bowled very well in the opening game (against Sri Lanka) and proved that he is still one of the best strike bowlers in the world. Young seamers Mohammad Sami and Umar Gul also have been impressive.

“We are rebuilding the side after the World Cup. What is important for us is to play positive and competitive cricket. Each player should put in his 100 percent effort. The boys have so far responded well to the situation.”

New Zealand, Pakistan and Sri Lanka each have posted one win in two first-leg matches. The final between the top two sides will be played here on Friday.

Teams (from):

Sri Lanka: Marvan Atapattu (captain), Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Tillekeratne Dilshan, Russel Arnold, Upul Chandana, Chaminda Vaas, Muttiah Muralitharan, Prabath Nissanka, Dharshana Gamage, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Kumar Dharmasena, Kaushalya Weereratne.

Pakistan: Rashid Latif (capt), Mohammad Hafeez, Taufiq Umar, Faisal Iqbal, Yousuf Youhana, Younis Khan, Shoaib Malik, Abdul Razzaq, Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Sami, Umar Gul, Yasir Hameed, Shabbir Ahmed, Faisal Athar, Danish Kaneria.

Umpires: Tyromme Wijewardena (Sri Lanka) and Daryl Harper (Australia).

TV umpire: Gamini Silva (Sri Lanka).

Match-referee: Gundappa Viswanath (India).—AFP