Asian cricket powerhouses, Sri Lanka (SL) and Pakistan (PAK), are set to face off in Hyderabad on Tuesday, October 10, in what promises to be an intriguing encounter in the 2023 ODI World Cup. Pakistan entered the tournament on the heels of a disappointing Asia Cup 2023 and losses in their two warm-up matches against New Zealand and Australia. However, in their opening match against the Netherlands, Babar Azam and his team overcame a couple of minor batting collapses to set a challenging target of 287 and ultimately won by 81 runs.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, entered the competition after a crushing defeat in the Asia Cup finals against a formidable Indian side. Similar to Pakistan, Sri Lanka also faced setbacks in their two warm-up matches against Bangladesh and Afghanistan. The Sri Lankans are missing key players like Dushmantha Chameera and Wanindu Hasaranga, and their bowling struggled in their first game against South Africa in Delhi. The Proteas posted a record-breaking 428/5 in their 50 overs, while dismissing Dasun Shanaka’s team for 326.
Pakistan aims to secure a win in this match to build momentum for their highly-anticipated clash against India on Saturday, October 14. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka seeks to draw inspiration from their previous victory against Pakistan in the Asia Cup and get their campaign back on track.
PAK vs SL Match Details:
- Match: Pakistan Vs Sri Lanka, ODI World Cup 2023, Match 8
- Venue: Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad
- Date & Time: Tuesday, October 10, 2:00 PM (IST)
- Live Streaming Details: Star Sports Network, Disney+ Hotstar app, and website
Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium Pitch Report: The Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium has been a witness to many high-scoring encounters. The pitches at this venue favor the batsmen, as evidenced by scores exceeding 300 in all four innings of the warm-up games. However, the pitch conditions may not be as batting-friendly as they were in Delhi against South Africa in the ODI World Cup 2023. Some deliveries from Shadab Khan showed significant turn in the second innings.
PAK vs SL Head-to-Head Record:
- Matches Played: 156
- Pakistan Won: 92
- Sri Lanka Won: 59
- Tied: 1
- No Result: 4
- First Played: 14-Jun-1975
- Last Played: 14-Sept-2023
PAK vs SL Probable Playing XI: Pakistan (PAK):
- Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (C), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf
Sri Lanka (SL):
- Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dunith Wellalage, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka, Lahiru Kumara/Maheesh Theekshana
Probable Best Performers: Probable Best Batter:
- Kusal Mendis (Sri Lanka) has been in prolific form recently, ranking second in the list of highest run-scorers in the Asia Cup 2023. He showcased his skills in a warm-up match against Afghanistan, scoring an outstanding 158 from just 87 balls. He followed it up with a dynamic knock of 76 from 42 balls against South Africa, hitting four fours and eight sixes.
Probable Best Bowler:
- Haris Rauf (Pakistan) is a right-arm pacer who can be a game-changer in the middle overs with his pace and bounce, as demonstrated in the match against the Netherlands. He has the ability to take crucial wickets in the middle overs, a vital aspect of 50-over cricket. Sri Lankan batters will need to be cautious against the 29-year-old during that phase of the game.
Today’s Match Prediction:
- Pakistan to win the match
Disclaimer: This prediction is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. When making your prediction, consider the points mentioned and make your own decision.
