Sri Lanka are looking to avenge their World Twenty20 final defeat in the one-off T20 international against Pakistan in Colombo on Wednesday.
Pakistan triumphed in the global showpiece at Lord's back in June although their joy has proved shortlived, following up the victory with some dismal displays in the Test and one-day legs of their Sri Lanka tour.
Sri Lanka won the Test series 2-0 and the one-dayers 3-2, and Kumar Sangakkara is aiming to complete a clean sweep in all three formats.
"There are several areas in which we need to improve, such as getting partnerships in the middle and getting off to a good start," said Sangakkara.
"The best thing about our team is that the guys learn.
"In the time before the World Cup we've got to keep the core solid and give as much opportunity as we can to new people so that they can settle and become part of the side."
Sri Lanka have named a 15-man squad for the match with in-form batsman Mahela Udawatte set to fill in for the injured Tillakaratne Dilshan as Sanath Jayasuriya's opening partner.
Afridi in charge
Shahid Afridi starts his reign as Pakistan's T20 captain with his side looking to end a difficult tour on a positive note.
Afridi has taken over as skipper in the shortest format after Younus Khan stepped down following the World T20 success.
"I will try to justify the expectations of PCB chairman Ijaz Butt, who has picked me as captain," said Afridi, who has no previous leadership experience.
"It does not matter that we lost the Test and one-day series.
"This is a fresh game and a new format and hopefully we can perform as well as we did in the final of the World Twenty20."
Afridi promised to be a hard-task master, adding: "My team-mates know my body language and those who deserve love and respect will be given their due.
"Others will be handled differently, but the end of the day I expect everyone to give their best for the team and the nation."
Sri Lanka (from): K Sangakkara (capt), M Bandara, S Jayasuriya, M Jayawardene, T Kandamby, C Kapugedara, N Kulasekera, L Malinga, A Matthews, A Mendis, M Muralitharan, U Tharanga, T Thushara, I Udana, M Udawatte
Pakistan (from): S Afridi (capt), M Aamir, S Ajmal, U Akmal, K Akmal, F Alam, U Gul, R Iftikhar, N Jamshed, S Malik, Misbah-ul-Haq, Naved-ul-Hasan, I Nazir, A Razzaq, M Yousuf
Source
Pakistan triumphed in the global showpiece at Lord's back in June although their joy has proved shortlived, following up the victory with some dismal displays in the Test and one-day legs of their Sri Lanka tour.
Sri Lanka won the Test series 2-0 and the one-dayers 3-2, and Kumar Sangakkara is aiming to complete a clean sweep in all three formats.
"There are several areas in which we need to improve, such as getting partnerships in the middle and getting off to a good start," said Sangakkara.
"The best thing about our team is that the guys learn.
"In the time before the World Cup we've got to keep the core solid and give as much opportunity as we can to new people so that they can settle and become part of the side."
Sri Lanka have named a 15-man squad for the match with in-form batsman Mahela Udawatte set to fill in for the injured Tillakaratne Dilshan as Sanath Jayasuriya's opening partner.
Afridi in charge
Shahid Afridi starts his reign as Pakistan's T20 captain with his side looking to end a difficult tour on a positive note.
Afridi has taken over as skipper in the shortest format after Younus Khan stepped down following the World T20 success.
"I will try to justify the expectations of PCB chairman Ijaz Butt, who has picked me as captain," said Afridi, who has no previous leadership experience.
"It does not matter that we lost the Test and one-day series.
"This is a fresh game and a new format and hopefully we can perform as well as we did in the final of the World Twenty20."
Afridi promised to be a hard-task master, adding: "My team-mates know my body language and those who deserve love and respect will be given their due.
"Others will be handled differently, but the end of the day I expect everyone to give their best for the team and the nation."
Sri Lanka (from): K Sangakkara (capt), M Bandara, S Jayasuriya, M Jayawardene, T Kandamby, C Kapugedara, N Kulasekera, L Malinga, A Matthews, A Mendis, M Muralitharan, U Tharanga, T Thushara, I Udana, M Udawatte
Pakistan (from): S Afridi (capt), M Aamir, S Ajmal, U Akmal, K Akmal, F Alam, U Gul, R Iftikhar, N Jamshed, S Malik, Misbah-ul-Haq, Naved-ul-Hasan, I Nazir, A Razzaq, M Yousuf
Source
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