Angelo Mathews respects Pakistan’s bowling

Sri Lanka captain cautious of a counter-attack from Misbah-ul-Haq's arsenal in first ODI in Sharjah on Wednesday.

Angelo Mathews, the Sri Lanka captain, expects Pakistan to do well as a bowling unit despite Mohammad Irfan’s absence. Jewel Samad / AFP

SHARJAH // In-form Pakistan seek to build on their thrilling one-day triumph in South Africa when they take on dangerous, but rusty, Sri Lanka in a five-match series starting in Sharjah on Wednesday night.

Pakistan last month sealed their first-ever ODI series win against the Proteas, beating them 2-1 just weeks after a 4-1 drubbing against the same opposition in the UAE.

Captain Misbah-ul-Haq, whose side lie sixth in the world ODI rankings, two places lower than Sri Lanka, hopes to build on their success against the South Africans, since he says his players thrive under pressure.

“We have good confidence before another tough series and we hope to carry the momentum we gained in South Africa,” Misbah said.

“It is the Pakistan team’s quality that they produce better results when they are under pressure. We were under pressure before the South Africa tour and when the confidence is better, we play well.”

Pakistan will be without lanky paceman Mohammad Irfan – who stands 2.16 metres tall – after the bowler fractured his hip during the Twenty20 series against South Africa last month.

Angelo Mathews, the Sri Lanka captain, highlighted Pakistan’s bowling strength despite the loss of Irfan.

“Pakistan has got one of the finest bowling attacks in the world. They are a good mixture of fast and spin attack. They can counter-attack at any stage,” Mathews said.

Sri Lanka will be missing former captain Mahela Jayawardene and left-arm spinner Rangana Herath, who both opted out of the one-dayers.

They have been frustrated by a lack of match practice after their drawn three-match ODI series against New Zealand last month was disrupted by rain.

The preceding Twenty20 series between the sides finished all square at 1-1.