Weren't the limited-overs formats, especially in the subcontinent, supposed to be a batsman's game? The two Twenty20s in Hambantota and the first ODI in Pallekele have all been about the bowlers though, with the batsmen being tested in seaming conditions reminiscent of cricket in the early English summer. The frequent rain interruptions during Thursday's one-dayer added to that impression.
June is not cricket season in Sri Lanka traditionally, mainly due to the wet weather. Only two ODI series have been played in Sri Lanka in that month: theNidahas Trophy in 1998 which had half its matches wiped out by rain, and the Asia Cup in 2010 which was held in the dry zone of Dambulla. Like the first ODI, rain is expected during Saturday's match.
Pakistan will like a repeat of the result on Thursday, but not a reprise of their fielding. They put down a handful of simple catches on their way to a straightforward victory, disproving the old adage that "catches win matches". Another aspect they will want to improve is the discipline while bowling - the 23 wides they bowled made up one-sixth of Sri Lanka's total.
Sri Lanka were pretty much out of the game within the first 15 overs, as their experienced top order failed against the swing and seam. They had slid to 68 for 6 when Saeed Ajmal was introduced. The form of Sri Lanka's top-three batsmen - Tillakaratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara, none of whom have crossed 20 in three games this series - remains a concern.
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