ICC Men’s CWC 2023: Can Sri Lanka beat Pakistan for the first time in a World Cup match?

The eighth match of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 will be played between 1992 World Cup winner Pakistan and 1996 World Cup champions Sri Lanka on October 10 at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.

Head-to-Head

Pakistan and Sri Lanka have played 156 ODIs against each other since 1975, of which Pakistan have won 92 and Sri Lanka have won 59. Of the remaining five games, one ended in a tie and the rest four produced no results. In India, these two teams have played seven matches, with Pakistan winning four and Sri Lanka winning three. Like the overall records are in Pakistan’s favour, when it comes to World Cups, Pakistan continue to rule the roost. Of the seven encounters between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in World Cups, Pakistan have won all.

Performance in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 so far…

Pakistan and Sri Lanka have played one match each at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. While Pakistan have started on a positive note by beating Netherlands at Hyderabad by 81 runs after posting 286, Sri Lanka have suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of South Africa by 102 runs at Delhi after conceding 428 runs.

Pakistan v Sri Lanka: Squads, injury updates, playing conditions, weather, and players to watch out for

Squads

Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim.

Sri Lanka: Dasun Shanaka (c), Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Kumara, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushan Hemantha

Injury updates

Sri Lanka’s spin sensation Maheesh Theekshana was ruled out of the team’s opening encounter against South Africa. Due to hamstring injury. If the off spinner has recovered from his injury, then there is no doubt that he will walk straight into the playing XI. On the other hand, Pakistan’s full squad will be available for selection in their upcoming game against Sri Lanka.

Playing conditions

Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad will host the encounter between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. It will be a day night match. Both teams will play their second encounter at this venue. While Sri Lanka have lost their first match that they played, Pakistan have registered a success here just a few days back. The venue will host its third game of this World Cup. The previous two games were high scoring, so expect another run feast.

Weather

The weather is expected to see hazy sunshine. The maximum temperature attained during the day will be 34 degrees Celsius. The cloud cover will be 18% and chance of rain will be 2%. The wind will blow from the east-northeast.

Players to watch out for

For Pakistan, Saud Shakeel, who won the player of the match award in his last match against Netherlands will be expected to deliver again in the next encounter against Sri Lanka. The 28-year-old left-handed middle order batter scored 68 off 52 balls, including nine fours and a six. In the bowling department, right arm medium fast bowler Haris Rauf was the most successful in his last match against Netherlands. The 29-year-old who bowls at a good pace picked 3/43 in nine overs.

For Sri Lanka, captain Dasun Shanaka played a good hand in his last encounter against South Africa. The right-handed middle-order batter scored 68 off 62 balls, including six fours and three sixes. He also bowled six overs of right arm medium pace, proving his worth as a genuine all-rounder. Besides, Charith Asalanka, who was the top-scorer in the last match for Sri Lanka against South Africa will grab all attention. The 26-year-old left-handed middle order batter scored 79 off 65 balls, including eight fours and five sixes.

Match details

Date: October 10, 2023

Time: 2:00 PM IST

Venue: Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad

Live streaming: Star Sports, Hotstar

 

 

All the statistics are sourced from ESPN Cricinfo