Pakistan-Sri Lanka Cricket: Three ODIs and Two Test Match Series Lie Ahead

After India decided to cancel its tour to Pakistan, the green shirts faced another year beginning without international cricket.

Luckily for Pakistan, Sri Lanka has agreed to tour the country but in two separate trips.

The Lankan Lions will arrive in Pakistan after completing their tri-series in Bangladesh, which features the hosts alongside Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka. Mahela Jayawardena's men are expected to play three ODI's, two of which will be held in Karachi (Jan. 20 and 21) with the final at Lahore (Jan. 24).

Sri Lanka will then rush back to play five ODI's and a T20 game against India at home before returning to Pakistan for a two test match series.

Though the Pakistani supporters would be greatly disappointed not to be facing India, Sri Lanka are a worthy opponent and are likely to give Pakistan a competitive series.

Both sides are well balanced, which almost ensures some intense competitions ahead. Sri Lanka will rely heavily on young spin sensation Ajantha Mendis besides veteran off-spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan.

Pakistan, though, are looking at their pace battery to shut down the likes of Sanath Jayasuria, Mahela Jayawardena, Kumara Sangakara, and Tilkeratne Dilshan—who form the core of Sri Lanka batting lineup.

Hence, it is no surprise that there are as many as six fast bowlers in Pakistan's squad of 15, including maverick pacer Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul, Rao Iftikhar, Sohail Tanvir, Sohail Khan, and Yasir Arafat.

As Pakistan's senior batsman, Mohammad Yousuf has been banned for participating in the rebel, unofficial Indian Cricket League—he was unable for selection and has been replaced by uncapped youngster, Umar Amin.

Pakistan, though, are banking on skipper Shoaib Malik, seasoned all-rounder, Shahid Afridi and opener Salman Butt to assist the likes of Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan in providing an element of solidarity to Pakistan's batting front.

It will be interesting to see how Pakistan's batsmen fare against Ajantha Mendis, who has taken the world by surprise. The youngster has recorded 50 wickets in 19 matches, a world record since his match-winning performances in the Asia Cup.

Besides a competitive tournament, Pakistan need a safe and successful event to prove to Australia and the rest of the world that they are secure enough to hold international ties on home turf.

Do you think Pakistan's can defeat Sri Lanka in the ODI series or will the visitors triumph over Shoaib Malik's men in their own back yard?

Meanwhile, we will soon be covering South Africa's ODI series in Australia and how West Indies feature against New Zealand down-under.