Series Name: | 2007 Abu Dhabi Series |
Team1 Image: | Flag of Pakistan.svg |
Team1 Name: | Pakistan |
Team2 Image: | Flag of Sri Lanka.svg |
Team2 Name: | Sri Lanka |
From Date: | 18 May |
To Date: | 22 May 2007 |
Team1 Captain: | Shoaib Malik |
Team2 Captain: | Mahela Jayawardene |
No Of Odis: | 3 |
Team1 Odis Won: | 2 |
Team2 Odis Won: | 1 |
Team1 Odis Most Runs: | Shoaib Malik (117) |
Team2 Odis Most Runs: | Mahela Jayawardene (162) |
Team1 Odis Most Wickets: | Umar Gul (5) |
Team2 Odis Most Wickets: | Farveez Maharoof (6) |
Player Of Odi Series: | Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka) and Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) |
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.
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]
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]
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]