PAK vs SL Live Score: Pakistan is all set to lock horns with Sri Lanka in Match 8 of the ICC World Cup 2023 which is slated to be played at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad on Tuesday. In their opening fixture, Pakistan won the match by 81 runs over the Netherlands thanks to useful contributions from Mohammad Rizwan, Haris Rauf, Saud Shakeel, and Hasan Ali. With this result, they are brimming with confidence & will look ahead to register their second win of the tournament.
On the other hand, Sri Lanka is coming into this clash on the back of a defeat at the hands of South Africa in all departments of the game. Captain Shanaka will be hoping that his team can raise their overall game against Pakistan. In the history of the ICC Cricket World Cups, Pakistan have won all of their seven matches played against Sri Lanka with huge scores & this will be a major morale booster for the Men in Green.
PAK vs SL Teams Preview
Pakistan Preview:
Pakistan enters this crucial match with one key concern: the lack of runs from their opening pair, consisting of Fakhar Zaman and Imam-Ul-Haq. The team management is undoubtedly hoping for an improved performance from these two key batsmen against Sri Lanka.
In the batting department, Pakistan will heavily rely on a formidable lineup, including openers Imam-Ul-Haq and Fakhar Zaman, skipper Babar Azam, emerging talent Saud Shakeel, wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan, veteran Iftikhar Ahmed, and the versatile all-rounder Shadab Khan, to provide the bulk of the runs.
In the opening match of the tournament, Saud Shakeel showcased his prowess with a scintillating 68 off 52 balls, featuring nine boundaries and one six. He received valuable support from wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan, who contributed 68 runs from 75 deliveries, including eight boundaries.
Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan also made significant contributions with the bat, scoring 39 runs (off 43 balls) and 32 runs (off 34 balls), respectively.
In the bowling department, Pakistan will bank on the formidable pace trio of Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi, and Hasan Ali to deliver crucial breakthroughs. In the previous game, Haris Rauf was the standout bowler, claiming 3 wickets for 43 runs in his nine overs. Hasan Ali also made his presence felt with figures of 2 for 33 in seven overs.
The spin trio of Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, and Iftikhar Ahmed is expected to provide valuable support.
Pakistan Predicted Playing XI:
Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf
Key Players from Previous Game:
- Batsmen: Mohammad Rizwan (68 runs), Saud Shakeel (68 runs), Mohammad Nawaz (39 runs), Shadab Khan (32 runs)
- Bowlers: Haris Rauf (3 wickets), Hasan Ali (2 wickets)
Sri Lanka Preview:
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, may make a few strategic changes to their playing XI for this crucial contest. Lahiru Kumara could come in as a replacement for Kasun Rajitha to bolster the bowling attack.
The Sri Lankan team management will be keen on a better performance from their bowlers after conceding a substantial total in their previous outing.
In the batting department, Sri Lanka will rely on their in-form batsmen, including Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, swashbuckling opener Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dhananjaya de Silva, and skipper Dasun Shanaka, to amass the lion’s share of runs.
In their opening match, Kusal Mendis exhibited splendid form with a blistering 76 off just 42 balls, featuring four fours and eight sixes. Charith Asalanka and Dasun Shanaka also contributed significantly, scoring 79 (off 65 balls) and 68 (off 62 balls), respectively.
In the bowling department, Sri Lanka will rely on the likes of Lahiru Kumara, Dunith Wellalage, Dilshan Madushanka, Matheesha Pathirana, and skipper Dasun Shanaka to deliver timely breakthroughs. In the previous game, Dilshan Madushanka claimed two wickets but conceded 86 runs from his allotted ten overs.
Sri Lanka Predicted Playing XI:
Dasun Shanaka (c), Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dunith Wellalage, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka, Kasun Rajitha / Lahiru Kumara
Key Players from Previous Game:
- Batsmen: Charith Asalanka (79 runs), Kusal Mendis (76 runs), Dasun Shanaka (68 runs)
- Bowlers: Dilshan Madushanka (2 wickets), Kasun Rajitha (1 wicket), Matheesha Pathirana (1 wicket)
Pitch and Weather Conditions:
The wicket at Hyderabad promises to be a batting paradise, where bowlers will need to be precise to reap rewards. The weather forecast for the game is expected to be bright and sunny, with humidity around 44%.
Venue Details: The Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad will host this crucial encounter. Pakistan will take heart from the fact that they have previously tasted success at this venue.
Toss: To Bat or Not to Bat?
Both teams will be keen to win the toss, opt to bat first and set a target in excess of 325 runs. The previous game played at Hyderabad was won by the side batting first.
PAK vs SL Match Prediction:
After a meticulous analysis of both teams, Pakistan emerges as the clear favorite to win this encounter. With the likes of Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan, and Hasan Ali in their lineup, Pakistan possesses a potent bowling attack capable of unsettling Sri Lanka’s inconsistent batting order.
Expect Babar Azam’s Pakistan to register a comfortable victory over Sri Lanka in this crucial match.
Prediction: Pakistan to Win
Also read, ENG vs BAN Live Score, ICC ODI World Cup 2023 Match 7
