The 1992 World Cup champions Pakistan will take on 1996 champions Sri Lanka in the eighth game of the ongoing World Cup 2023 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad on Tuesday. Pakistan played their opening game at the same venue and thus they will be better accustomed to the conditions on offer.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, was blown away by South Africa as they conceded a mammoth total of 428 runs. Thus, the Sri Lankan team will need to come up with a better bowling show against Pakistan.
We look at the current form, head-to-head, players to look out for, and squads of both teams in our match preview.
Current form for Sri Lanka: L L W L W
Sri Lanka will have to pull up their socks in the bowling department as they were not able to contain South Africa. However, there were some positives as well with Dasun Shanaka, Charith Asalanka, and Kusal Mendis getting runs.
Current form for Pakistan: W L L W NR
Pakistan did look nervous at the start in their opening clash against the Netherlands however they were able to get back into the game after Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel played fine knocks. Furthermore, Haris Rauf bowled a fine spell as the gun fast bowler took three wickets.
Head to Head: Matches: 156, Won by Pakistan: 92, Won by Sri Lanka: 59, No result: 4, Tied: 1.
Pakistan clearly holds the advantage against Sri Lanka in the H2H battle.
Players to look out: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Haris Rauf will be the crucial players for Pakistan.
Dasun Shanaka, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Kusal Mendis, Dinuth Wellalage, Dhananjaya de Silva, and Charith Asalanka will be the key players for Sri Lanka.
Pakistan squad: 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 Squad: Dasun Shanaka (c), Kusal Mendis (vc), Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka
Travelling reserve: Chamika Karunaratne
