Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Tour of Pakistan, 2019, Today Match Prediction 11 Dec 2019

pak vs srl Match Prediction & Analysis

Host Pakistan will be looking to get back to winning ways when they take on Sri Lanka in the opening game of the two-match series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Wednesday. After a humiliating series defeat in Australia, Pakistan will be looking to start well in this home series.

Captain Azhar Ali will be determined to make sure that can deliver the goods in this Test series opener.

On the other hand, Sri Lankan Captain Dimuth Karunaratne will be hoping that the side can deliver a strong show in this opening game of the series. Since their maiden Test series in South Africa, Sri Lanka won three Test matches out of four players this season.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Pakistan Preview

The home side announced a 16-man squad for the two-match series against Sri Lanka. Fawad Alam and Usman Shinwari have been included in the Test squad on the back of strong performances delivered in first-class matches. Iftikhar Ahmed and Muhammad Musa have been dropped after failing to deliver in the Test series played in Australia.

There is a chance that uncapped Abid Ali might make his debut for Pakistan in this opening game of the series. He might replace Imam-ul-Haq at the top of the innings, while Fawad Alam will be slotted in the middle-order for this game. In the batting department, the side will be relying on the in-form players like Shan Masood, Asad Shafiq and Babar Azam to deliver the bulk of the runs in this contest.

In the previous series against Australia, Babar Azam played exceedingly well and finished as leading run-scorer for Pakistan with 210 runs at an average of 52.50. Wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan also excelled as a batsman for Pakistan in the two-match series played in Australia. He accumulated 177 runs at an average of 44.25 with one half-century to his name.

Pacer Usman Shinwari inclusion will bolster the bowling resources for Pakistan for this two-match series. In the bowling department, the side will be depending on the likes of Yasir Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Abbas to make crucial breakthroughs in this contest.

Pakistan Predicted Playing XI:

Azhar Ali (captain), Yasir Shah, Fawad Alam, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Shan Masood, Imam-ul-Haq/Abid Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Khan Shinwari, Muhammad Abbas

Pakistan Actual Playing XI:

Usman Khan, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, Shan Masood, Abid Ali, Haris Sohail, Asad Shafiq, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Abbas, Azhar Ali

Sri Lanka Preview

The visitors have managed to retain the core group of the players for the two-match series. Suranga Lakmal has been ruled out of the series after suffering from dengue fever. Uncapped medium-pacer Asitha Fernando has been named as a replacement for Lakmal. 

In the batting department, the side will be depending on Captain Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Perera and Kusal Mendis to deliver the bulk of the scoring. Since Feb 2019, Karunaratne has lead from the front with the bat and accumulated 333 runs in 4 matches at an average of 41.62. Left-hander scored one century and one half-century for Sri Lanka during this period. Since his outstanding batting heroics at Durban earlier this season, Kusal Perera will be looking to do well for Sri Lanka in this two-match series. Since the South Africa series, Perera has scored 248 runs in 4 matches at an average of 41.33.

Middle-order comprising of Angelo Matthews, Niroshan Dickwella and Dhananjaya de Silva will need to produce crucial scores in this Test series opener. In the bowling department, the side will be depending on the likes of Vishwa Fernando, Lasith Embuldeniya and Kasun Rajitha to make early breakthroughs in this game.

Sri Lanka Predicted Playing XI:

Dimuth Karunratne (captain), Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Angelo Matthews, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Lahiru Thiramanne/Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Lasith Embuldeniya, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Dilruwan Perera.

Sri Lanka Actual Playing XI:

Niroshan Dickwella, Dilruwan Perera, Oshada Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Dhananjaya de Silva, Vishwa Fernando, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Mendis, Dimuth Karunaratne, Angelo Mathews, Lahiru Kumara

Weather Conditions

Traditionally, the wicket prepared for the game will provide assistance to quick bowlers with the new-ball. The batsmen will need to take conservative approach as ball might swing on this surface. The weather forecast for the game to be played on Wednesday is going to be sunny throughout the day.

Venue Details

Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is going to host the opening game of the Test series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The home side has lost their last three Test matches at this venue. On the other hand, Sri Lanka will take heart from the fact they managed to beat Pakistan in a Test match played in 2000 at this venue.

Toss: To Bowl

The side that wins the toss would be looking to bowl first and make use of early pitch conditions. The quick bowlers might get lateral movement off the pitch.