Top-ranked Pakistan is facing a rare 3-0 whitewash in a Twenty20 bilateral series when it takes on an inexperienced Sri Lanka side in the third and final match on Wednesday.
Sri Lanka’s key players opted out of the series due to security concerns, but the visitors haven’t missed them as they registered two emphatic victories in Lahore, with Pakistan choosing to experiment rather than fielding tried-and-tested players.
Recalled Umar Akmal and Ahmed Shehzad failed in both matches, with Akmal getting golden ducks and Shehzad scores of 4 and 13 before he was clean bowled both times.
“If they weren’t able to perform what can be done?” questioned a frustrated-looking head coach and chief selector, Misbah-ul-Haq, after his team lost on Monday. “Obviously I am answerable, but to build up a team, you need to do some experiments to get your answers.
“When you play someone in international cricket, with a couple of games you understand the utility of a player. We need to show some patience.”