Sri Lanka will have an early opportunity to avenge its defeat at the hands of Pakistan in the World Twenty20 final when the two teams clash in a T20 international here Wednesday. Younus Khan's Pakistan stunned favorite Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the final at Lord's in June, sparking massive celebrations in Pakistan. But the joy was short-lived as Pakistan, touring Sri Lanka a week later, slumped to a 2-0 defeat in the Test series and lost the one-dayers 3-2 against Kumar Sangakkara's rampant home team. Pakistan salvaged their reputation by winning the last two one-day matches and hope to carry the momentum into Wednesday's clash in which they will be led by flamboyant all-rounder Shahid Afridi. Afridi, Man of the Match in both the semifinal and final of the World Twenty20, was appointed T20 captain after Younus quit the shortest form of the game soon after leading Pakistan to the title. “It is not important that we lost the Test and one-day series,” said Afridi. “This is a new game and we are determined to end the tour on a positive note.” Sangakkara was, however, confident of a good showing by his team, provided the top order batsmen delivered. “Our bowling always stepped up when we wanted it to,” the Sri Lankan captain said. “We have just got to make sure our batting keeps up.” Sri Lanka called up in-form opening batsman Mahela Udawatte to replace Tillakaratne Dilshan, who is still recovering from finger and eye injuries sustained during the third Test last month. Udawatte is expected to open the innings with swashbuckling veteran Sanath Jayasuriya. Off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, the world's leading wicket-taker with 770 Test annd 511 one-day wickets, will lead the bowling in the absence of experienced seamer Chaminda Vaas. Vaas, who retired from Test cricket after the Pakistan series, was ignored by the selectors despite saying he will play limited-over cricket until the 2011 World Cup. Lanka's Test team Sri Lanka named three spinners on Tuesday in a 15-man squad for next week's first Test against New Zealand. Off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, Test cricket's leading wicket-taker, will partner left-armer Rangana Herath or Ajantha Mendis in the final XI while batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan has recovered from a fractured finger. Squad: Kumar Sangakkara (captain), Malinda Warnapura, Tharanga Paranavitana, Mahela Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Angelo Mathews, Chamara Kapugedera, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis, Thilan Thushara, Nuwan Kulasekara, Dhammika Prasad, Prasanna Jayawardene, Rangana Herath.
