Match Details:
Series/tournament: Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka
Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Date: October 7, 2019
Time: 7 p.m. IST
Match Preview
Sri Lanka sprung a surprise on the hosts in the first T20I, beating the number-one ranked T20I team by a massive margin of 64 runs. After being sent in to bat first, the Sri Lankans made full use of the good batting conditions, notching up 165 on the board, with Danushka Gunathilaka top-scoring for the visitors.
In reply, the inexperienced bowling attack ripped through the formidable Pakistani batting unit, allowing them to just score 101. The historic win, nonetheless, Sri Lanka will walk into the game as underdogs, with Pakistan having more quality in their squad.
Weather Conditions: Temperatures will be in the mid-thirties on match day, but the evening should get cooler. There is no chance of rain as well, which means that we should be in for a full 40-over game.
Pitch Conditions: If the first T20I is any indication, then yet another good batting track can be expected. The flat track with even bounce will help the batters, at least upfront, but as the match goes on, the spinners can come into the game.
Sri Lanka:
Needless to say, the Sri Lankan unit are likely to go in unchanged. After their surprise win over the hosts, the skipper Dasun Shanaka will not be tempted to tinker with the line-up, and, thus, we could see Gunathilaka and Avishka Fernando opening the innings once again, with Bhanuka
Match Details:
Series/tournament: Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka
Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Date: October 7, 2019
Time: 7 p.m. IST
Match Preview
Sri Lanka sprung a surprise on the hosts in the first T20I, beating the number-one ranked T20I team by a massive margin of 64 runs. After being sent in to bat first, the Sri Lankans made full use of the good batting conditions, notching up 165 on the board, with Danushka Gunathilaka top-scoring for the visitors.
In reply, the inexperienced bowling attack ripped through the formidable Pakistani batting unit, allowing them to just score 101. The historic win, nonetheless, Sri Lanka will walk into the game as underdogs, with Pakistan having more quality in their squad.
Weather Conditions: Temperatures will be in the mid-thirties on match day, but the evening should get cooler. There is no chance of rain as well, which means that we should be in for a full 40-over game.
Pitch Conditions: If the first T20I is any indication, then yet another good batting track can be expected. The flat track with even bounce will help the batters, at least upfront, but as the match goes on, the spinners can come into the game.
Sri Lanka:
Needless to say, the Sri Lankan unit are likely to go in unchanged. After their surprise win over the hosts, the skipper Dasun Shanaka will not be tempted to tinker with the line-up, and, thus, we could see Gunathilaka and Avishka Fernando opening the innings once again, with Bhanuka Rajapaksa coming in at three.
Isuru Udana, Nuwan Pradeep, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Shehan Jayasuriya, Danushka Gunathilaka, Dasun Shanaka (c), Minod Bhanuka (wk), Kasun Rajitha, Wanindu Hasaranga, Avishka Fernando, Lakshan Sandakan
Pakistan:
After their loss to Sri Lanka, Pakistan might bring back Fakhar Zaman for the upcoming game, with Usman Shinwari too in with a chance of getting a look in.
Sarfraz Ahmed (c & wk), Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Amir, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Asif Ali, Imad Wasim, Usman Shinwari, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Hasnain
Top picks:
Wicket-keeper: Sarfraz Ahmed (9 credits)
Sarfraz does not have the best of records in the format, but makes for a better option that Lanka's Minod Bhanuka, who did not even bat in the last game. The latter comes way down the order, which might not leave him with many deliveries to leave a mark. The Pakistani, on the other hand, did pitch-in with 24 in the first T20I, the second highest from his side.
Batsman: Danushka Gunathilaka (9 credits)
The Sri Lankan is in fine form on this tour, having followed up his 133, scored in the last ODI, with a brisk 57 in the first T20I. Capable of sending the ball a long way in the format, Gunathilaka can be a danger player at the top of the order.
All-rounder: Imad Wasim (9 credits)
Imad Wasim has played vital hands in his side's run to the number one ranking in the format. Capable of striking the ball at a rate of over 151, Imad is capable of turning games around in the death. He is also a wily bowler, having scalped 39 in 36 T20Is at an average of just 20.15.
Bowler: Mohammad Hasnain (8 credits)
The youngster overshadowed experienced pro Mohammad Amir in the first T20I, ending with figures of 3 for 37 from his 4 overs. Equipped with serious pace, Hasnain has been earmarked as a youngster to watch out for, and he will be eager to live up to the expectations.
Captain: Danushka Gunathilaka, Imad Wasim
