The first ODI of a 5 match series between Sri Lanka and Pakistan takes place in Dambulla on Thursday. Pakistan will be looking to make amends for a test series defeat where they threw away a winning position on more than one occasion.

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If the ODI series is anywhere near as exciting as the test series (which Sri Lanka won 2-0), this will be well worth keeping an eye on.
 
The Venue:
 
Sri Lankan cricket grounds have plenty of character and fantastic locations. Dambulla is no exception.
 
Sri Lanka have played 21 ODI’s here and at one stage it was a real stronghold as they reeled off 9 successive wins. Recently though, they have lost 4 of the last 5, with England and India both inning twice against the hosts.
 
There has been plenty of assistance for the bowlers and in 2007/08, scores either side of 150 were commonplace. The last 2 ODI’s against India have seen more competitive totals of just under 250 posted.
 
India elected to field in both their victories over Sri Lanka in the last 2 ODI’s here although down the years, sides have been just as likely to bat first if winning the toss.
 
The Squads:
 
Sri Lanka:
 
Sri Lanka welcome back Murali who missed the test series through injury and Lasith Malinga is also included as is Jayasuria. Kulasekara, Thushara and Angelo Matthews who all played their part in the test series win are also included. Dilshan is missing through injury and Chaminda Vaas left out but it looks n exciting line up.
 
Kumar Sangakkara (Capt), Muttiah Muralitharan, Sanath Jayasuriya, Mahela Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera, Chamara Kapugedera, Angelo Mathews, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Ajantha Mendis, Thilina Kandamby, Malinga Bandara, Thilan Thushara Isuru Udana, Upul Tharanga
 
Pakistan:
 
Shahid Afridi is back for Pakistan and along with Umar Gul, he is likely to carry the main threat with the ball if repeating ICC T20 form. With the test side prone to battling collapses on this tour, runs from Afridi wouldn’t go a miss either. Rana Naved returns from the international wilderness, Shoaib Akhtar and Salman Butt are left out.

Younis Khan (capt), Imran Nazir, Nasir Jamshed, Mohammad Yousuf, Misbah-ul-Haq, Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal (wk), Shahid Afridi, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Aamer, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, Abdul Razzaq, Umar Akmal, Fawad Alam, Rao Iftikhar Anjum
 
The next 2 matches are also held at this ground before the sides go to Colombo to complete the series.

Determined to bag the hosting rights of the Champions Trophy, Sri Lanka has proposed Dambulla as alternative venue if participants show reluctance to play in Colombo due to security reasons.

Last month the International Cricket Council decided to relocate the eight-nation tournament from Pakistan after some countries raised security concerns about touring the trouble-torn country.

Sources aware of the developments related to Sri Lankan cricket said although some countries are still in favour of holding the tournament in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, India had promised to support the island nation in its bid when the ICC board takes a decision on the new venue in April.

“Sri Lankan authorities have conveyed to ICC that they can host the entire tournament at Dambulla to ease security concerns,” one source said.

“The Indian cricket board is strongly supporting Sri Lanka hosting the tournament because it apparently is part of an agreement between the two boards which also saw the sacking of Arjuna Ranatunga as head of the interim committee by the Sri Lankan Sports Minister,” the source alleged.

The source said the Indian board was unhappy with Ranatunga when he was President of Sri Lanka Cricket and wanted him out after a series of tiffs.

“Apparently the word is that the Sri Lankan Sports Ministry and board was told they would get the Champions Trophy if Ranatunga went. That is why India is pushing for the Lankans to host the tournament,” the source alleged.