Pakistan women team eye Sri Lanka upset

LAHORE - Inexperienced Pakistan will hope to exploit recent turmoil in the Sri Lanka camp as the teams clash
in their opening match of the ICC Women's World Twenty20 2009 at Taunton on Friday.
Sri Lanka dropped its three most successful batters from the ICC Women's World Cup, including captain
Shashikala Siriwardena, for indiscipline.
"The Sri Lanka match is the one we have been targeting," said Pakistan coach Mansoor Rana.
"The twenty20 format is really new to us - in fact, the first time the team played as a unit was only a month ago.
"The other teams in our group, England and India, are very strong but we think we can compete against the Sri
Lankans, we're confident we can beat them."
Pakistan, which caused a shock by beating Sri Lanka at the ICC Women's World Cup in March after losing its
first 18 ODIs against them, has a new captain of its own.
Sana Mir has replaced Urooj Mumtaz, although Mumtaz remains in the squad.
Rana, a former Pakistan one-day international, said the tournament would be a huge learning experience for his
squad.
"Women's cricket in Pakistan is still in its infancy," he said. "It started about three or four years ago and we're still
building the infrastructure needed to unearth the best talent.
"There are also cultural issues. Parents in Pakistan are often not comfortable allowing their daughters to go off
and play cricket and they are not yet allowed to play in public places or in boys' clubs. That may change but it will
take time.
"Our team are still learning the game but anything can happen in twenty20. It only takes one good spell of
bowling or a good knock to change a game."
Pakistan came sixth in the ICC Women's World Cup despite being ranked 10th, while Sri Lanka lost all four of
their matches to finish last of the eight teams. Neither side has played any of the major sides in a Twenty20
International.