Sri Lanka vs Pakistan, SL vs PAK, Today Match Prediction 24 July 2023

sl vs pak Match Prediction & Analysis

Host Sri Lanka will be desperate to get back to winning ways when they take on Pakistan in the second game of the Test series at Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo.

The home side will need to raise their overall game with bat and ball to level the two-match series. Captain Dimuth Karunaratne will be hoping that the side can deliver the goods in this must-win encounter.

On the other hand, Pakistan registered a four-wicket win over Sri Lanka, courtesy splendid double century from Saud Shakeel. With this result, Pakistan have taken a 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Sri Lanka Preview

The home side might make two changes as Praveen Jayawickrama and Dilshan Madushanka will replace Vishwa Fernando and Kasun Rajitha into the playing XI.

In the batting department, the side will be relying on the likes of captain Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis, rookie opener Nishan Madushka, wicket-keeper Dinesh Chandimal, all-rounders Dhananjaya de Silva and Angelo Matthews to deliver the bulk of the runs.

In the first Test, Dhananjaya de Silva was the standout performer with the bat for Islanders. The middle-order batsman smashed a splendid 122 runs off 214 balls to help Sri Lanka post 312 runs in their first innings.

In the second innings, Dhananjaya once again showcased excellent form and scored 82 runs off 118 balls with the help of ten fours and two sixes.

The team management will be hoping that experienced players like Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal and Dimuth Karunaratne can come to the party with the bat in this must-win game.

In the bowling department, the side will be relying on the spin trio of Prabath Jayasuriya, Praveen Jayawickrama, Dilshan Madushanka and Ramesh Mendis to deliver crucial breakthroughs.

In the series opener, left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya was the pick of the bowlers for Sri Lanka and claimed seven wickets against Pakistan.

Sri Lanka Predicted Playing XI:

Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Dhananjaya de Silva, Dinesh Chandimal, Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Sadeera Samarawickrama (wk), Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Vishwa Fernando/Dilshan Madushanka, Kasun Rajitha/Praveen Jayawickrama.

Sri Lanka Actual Playing XI:

Prabath Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dilshan Madushanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kusal Mendis, Dimuth Karunaratne, Ramesh Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Nishan Madushka

Pakistan Preview

For Pakistan, there won’t be any changes to their playing XI after going 1-0 up in the two-match Test series.

In the batting department, the side will be relying on the likes of captain Babar Azam, openers Imam-Ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, middle-order trio of Saud Shakeel, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Agha Salman to deliver the bulk of the runs.

In their first innings, Pakistan posted a competitive total of 461 runs, courtesy unbeaten maiden double century from Saud Shakeel. Left-hander became the first Pakistani batsman to score a double ton in Sri Lanka. He smashed nine boundaries in his innings.

Besides Shakeel, Agha Salman showcased excellent form for Pakistan and scored 83 runs off 113 balls with the help of nine boundaries and one six.

In the bowling department, the side will be relying on the pace duo of Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah to make early inroads with the new-ball.

The spin trio of Noman Ali, Agha Salman and Abrar Ahmed will once again be looking to dismantle Sri Lanka’s middle-order in this Test match.

In the previous match, rookie spinner Abrar Ahmad was the pick of the bowlers and claimed six wickets at Galle. Beside Abrar, Shaheen Afridi also looked effective with the new-ball for Pakistan and deliver vital breakthroughs at crucial stages of the game.

Pakistan Predicted Playing XI:

Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Babar Azam (c), Saud Shakeel, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Agha Salman, Nauman Ali, Abrar Ahmed, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah

Pakistan Actual Playing XI:

Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmad, Agha Salman, Babar Azam, Shan Masood, Nauman Ali, Naseem Shah, Saud Shakeel, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Afridi, Imam-ul-Haq

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The wicket prepared for the game is going to assist the spinners. The batsmen will need to be pro-active at the crease to score big runs on this surface. The weather forecast for the Test match is far from ideal as thundery showers are predicted for all five days at Colombo.

Venue Details

Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo is going to host the second and final game of the Test series between Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

The Islanders will take heart from the fact that they have won their previous match against Pakistan played at Sinhalese Sports Club in 2014.

Toss: To Bowl

With rain predicted for the match, both the teams will be keen to win the toss, bowl first in overcast conditions. The average first innings score at Sinhalese Sports Club is around 332 runs