Both teams started their WC campaign in different ways. Pakistan got the above hand over the Netherlands in their opening game with their bowling efforts defending 286. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, was demolished by the Proteas. Their bowlers conceded 428 runs in their 50-over quota, but batting made sure that Sri Lanka didn’t give up this chase, scoring 326.
Pakistan has a 7-0 superiority over Sri Lanka in world cups, but their recent white-ball records against Sri Lanka are terrible. Both Pakistan and Sri Lanka would be looking to turn these matchups on their side of the coin.
Team Preview
Pakistan
Pakistan’s top order is an issue for them. They play with an old-school approach in the powerplay, which can backfire Pakistan anytime soon as the other team attacks from the start. Fakhar Zaman’s form is a major issue for them, they would like to bring in Abdullah Shafique in place of Fakhar.
Pakistan’s spin bowling doesn’t look threatening. Both Nawaz and Shadab aren’t in great form. They have played 3 matches on this Hyderabad Pitch but didn’t show the spark in them. Usama Mir can be tried in place of Nawaz as he looked lethal in the warmup matches.
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Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s bowling was destroyed by the proteas in their opening match, with every bowler conceding above 8/over (except Shanaka).
Sri Lanka missed the services of their premium bowler Maheesh Theekshana in the opening encounter. Sri Lanka would be hoping to get his services for the Pakistan game. None of the Sri Lankan fast bowlers looked lethal, they would like to bring in Lahiru Kumara to strengthen their pace battery.
Sri Lanka played with an aggressive intent against South Africa, but only 3 batters looked in good touch. Opener Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera would be looking to make a mark in the upcoming game.
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Probable Playing XI
Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Imam Ul Haq, Babar Azam(c), Mohammad Rizwan(wk), Saud Shakeel, Ifthikar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf.
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis(wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya De Silva, Dasun Shanaka(c), Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka.
Pitch Report
Hyderabad pitch has been batting-friendly in 2 warmups and 1 World Cup match played here. Boundaries are short so batters would be looking to utilise the conditions to the fullest. An aggressive brand of cricket is a must on these kinds of surfaces.
Pitch tends to slow down as the game progresses and will assist the spinners more than fast bowlers. For the most part of the game, it would be a batter’s paradise.
- Total Matches – 8
- Won batting first – 5
- Won batting second – 3
- Average 1st innings score – 287
- Average 2nd innings score – 255
Players To Watch Out For
Dasun Shanaka
Dasun Shanaka’s and his India Affair is no longer unknown. In his first World Cup match, Shanaka scored 68 off 62 helping Sri Lanka reduce the margin of defeat and controlling the damage of NRR’s fall. He averages 63 in India and 13 in all other countries he played in.
He was the most economical bowler of the Sri Lankan lineup, conceding only 36 in 6 overs with an economy of 6, while all other bowlers’ economy was more than 8. Sri Lanka would want their captain to continue this flow throughout the World Cup.
Saud Shakeel
Saud Shakeel was declared the player of the match in Pakistan’s victory over the Netherlands. He came in a collapse situation but played his shots and removed the pressure from his partner Rizwan. The partnership between Rizwan and Shakeel paved the way for a respectable total for Pakistan. Shakeel’s wide range of shots makes him special.
Kusal Mendis
Kusal Mendis showed his aggressive intent in warmups, which he continued in his first outing in the World Cup, scoring 76 off just 42 balls with 8 sixes. He smashed bowlers like Rabada and Ngidi all around the park. Hyderabad’s pitch will most likely be batting-friendly, so Sri Lanka’s vice-captain would be looking to score a daddy hundred and kill the game at that instance.
PAK vs SL Dream11 Team for Match 8 of 2023 WC
Note: This is not our final Dream11 Team as we are not aware of the Toss Result/Final Playing XI of both teams at this moment.
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