After an unexpected but exciting end to the first Test of the three-match series, the second match starting today here at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium will be of special interest for both Pakistan and Sri Lanka to go with their tails up to Sharjah for the last game to decide the fate of the rubber.

The only worry for the moment is an unusual spell of rain in this part of the world. Since Monday there was intermittent showers which on Tuesday turned into heavy downpour. While the weather is likely to clear off, it may delay the start of the match though the forecast for the next four days is not much of a concern.

Measure for measure, however, there seems little difference in the strength of either team. What appeared to be a game, set, match for Pakistan in the first Test at Abu Dhabi at the end of the third day was turned upside down by a remarkable fightback by the Sri Lankan late middle-order which helped them earn a respectable draw.

An unbeaten 157 by captain Angelo Mathews and his superb partnerships with Dinesh Chandimal and later with his wicket-keeper Prasanna Jayawardene uplifted their sagging morale after being bowled out cheaply in the first innings.

The fine rearguard action also reminded Misbah-ul-Haq’s men that the Sri Lankans are not going to be easy picking when it came to a challenging contest.

Mahela Jayawardene’s form in recent times may be a worry in their mind but that is not something which he can’t cope with, knowing fully well that a batsman of the type of Mahela has this uncanny ability to raise himself against all odds to be amongst the runs again.

And when he gets going he is one fine batsman to watch. Elegant, deft, and always pleasant to the eye when leaning in to drive or cut.

Their new ball pair Suranga Lakmal and Shaminda Eranga and spinner Rangana Herath bowled good line though gaining little help from the Abu Dhabi pitch while debutant Sachithra Senanayake looked the part too in the first Test. I wouldn’t see any changes in their side.

I have a feeling, though, that after having a good look at the track Misbah may play with two specialist spinners including left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman to partner Saeed Ajmal and that would mean one of the fast bowlers Rahat Ali will be left out.

Misbah also thinks that the slow pitch here would help the spinners more than the fast bowlers. Bilawal Bhatti in his debut Test bowled venomously in both the innings, as did Junaid Khan, and if they also are able to extract some life out of this pitch things may then be going Pakistan’s way.

Although opener Khurram Manzoor has had tough luck since making a fine century against the South Africans last October, he needs to be given another opportunity despite his failures in the last five innings.

Mohammad Hafeez and Ahmed Shehzad, with their second innings performance in the first Test, will obviously be an automatic choice with unlucky Shan Masood still hoping against hope to get a nod if Khurram is not considered.

In the last twelve Tests against Sri Lanka, Pakistan have scored only one victory that too here at this venue in 2011 when Saeed and Rehman shared 12 wickets between them as Pakistan won by nine wickets.