2007 Abu Dhabi Series

The Abu Dhabi Series, also known as the Warid Cricket Series, was a cricket tournament, contested between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, from 18 to 22 May 2007. It was hosted on neutral soil, all 3 ODIs being played at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, UAE. It will be the first matches played by either side since the conclusion of the 2007 Cricket World Cup. Pakistan went on to win the series 2-1, only losing the final match of the series. All 3 matches were Day/Night matches.

2007 Abu Dhabi Series
 
  Pakistan Sri Lanka
Dates 18 May – 22 May 2007
Captains Shoaib Malik Mahela Jayawardene
One Day International series
Results Pakistan won the 3-match series 2–1
Most runs Shoaib Malik (117) Mahela Jayawardene (162)
Most wickets Umar Gul (5) Farveez Maharoof (6)
Player of the series Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka) and Shahid Afridi (Pakistan)

Squad lists
 Pakistan [1]  Sri Lanka [2]
Shoaib Malik (c)Mahela Jayawardene (c)
Kamran Akmal (wk)Prasanna Jayawardene (wk)
Shahid AfridiIshara Amerasinghe
Fawad AlamMalinga Bandara
Iftikhar AnjumTillakaratne Dilshan
Mohammad AsifDilhara Fernando
Salman ButtSanath Jayasuriya
Umar GulChamara Kapugedera
Mohammad HafeezKaushal Lokuarachchi
Yasir HameedFarveez Maharoof
Imran NazirLasith Malinga
Abdul RazzaqRuchira Perera
Abdur RehmanChamara Silva
Mohammad SamiUpul Tharanga
Najaf ShahMalinda Warnapura
Mohammad Yousuf

Pakistan

Following the retirement of Inzamam-ul-Haq after Pakistan's shock World Cup Group Stage exit, Pakistan named Shoaib Malik as ul-Haq's successor as captain. Younis Khan and Shoaib Akhtar were both dropped - Akhtar for his fitness, whilst Khan is playing English county cricket with Yorkshire County Cricket Club. Salman Butt was recalled to the team after 9 months out of the side.[3]

Sri Lanka

Only nine of the fifteen players in the Sri Lankan squad who were present for their 2007 World Cup campaign are in the squad for the Abu Dhabi Series - Russel Arnold retired following the World Cup, whilst Muttiah Muralitharan, Kumar Sangakkara and Chaminda Vaas were all rested in order to be given the opportunity to play for their respective English county cricket teams. Young bowler Nuwan Kulasekara was dropped from the side, as well as former captain Marvan Atapattu, with Sri Lanka Cricket explaining they wanted to give experience to younger players, such as Malinda Warnapura who had earlier impressed for Sri Lanka A.[4]

Coaches

Both teams had experienced recent changes in coaches: Pakistan's coach Bob Woolmer died in the West Indies following the team's exit from the World Cup - the investigation into his death, amidst claims of murder, is still ongoing. No full-time coach had been named before the series, although there has been speculation as to current Bangladesh coach Dav Whatmore taking over once he steps down at the end of India's tour of Bangladesh.[5] Sri Lanka's coach Tom Moody announced his intention to leave Sri Lanka and return to Australia to coach the Western Warriors following the series.[6]

ODI series

1st ODI
18 May 2007
(scorecard)
Sri Lanka 
235/9 (50 overs)
v
 Pakistan
239/5 (42 overs)
Farveez Maharoof 69* (54)
Umar Gul 3/61 (10 overs)
 Pakistan win by 5 wickets
Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Umpires: Suresh Shastri (IND) and Mark Benson (ENG)
Player of the match: Shahid Afridi (PAK)

2nd ODI
20 May 2007
(scorecard)
Pakistan 
313/9 (50 overs)
v
 Sri Lanka
215 (39.5 overs)
Salman Butt 74 (81)
Yasir Hameed 50 (53)
Malinga Bandara 3/56 (10 overs)
Mahela Jayawardene 61 (69)
Shahid Afridi 3/37 (10 overs)
 Pakistan win by 98 runs
Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Umpires: Suresh Shastri (IND) and Russell Tiffin (ZIM)
Player of the match: Salman Butt (PAK)

3rd ODI
22 May 2007
(scorecard)
Sri Lanka 
296/9 (50 overs)
v
 Pakistan
181 (42.5 overs)
Shoaib Malik 79* (85)
Dilhara Fernando 3/20 (7 overs)
 Sri Lanka win by 115 runs
Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Umpires: Mark Benson (ENG) and Russell Tiffin (ZIM)
Player of the match: Dilhara Fernando (SRI)
  • Pakistan won the series 2-1

References
  1. "Abu Dhabi Series - Pakistan Squad". Cricinfo. 7 May 2007. Archived from the original on 24 May 2007. Retrieved 16 May 2007.
  2. "Abu Dhabi Series - Sri Lanka Squad". Cricinfo. 10 May 2007. Retrieved 16 May 2007.
  3. "Mohammad Asif returns as vice-captain to Pakistan squad". Cricinfo. 7 May 2007. Retrieved 16 May 2007.
  4. "Atapattu dropped for Abu Dhabi series". Cricinfo. 10 May 2007. Retrieved 16 May 2007.
  5. "Pakistan express interest in Whatmore". Cricinfo. 10 May 2007. Archived from the original on 13 May 2007. Retrieved 16 May 2007.
  6. "Moody quits as Sri Lanka coach". 14 May 2007. Retrieved 16 May 2007.
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