With the upcoming World Cup on the horizon, Pakistan is focused on maintaining momentum and securing a series victory against Sri Lanka. The team’s recent performances have been impressive, showcasing a blend of skilled batting and effective bowling, even in the absence of key players like Babar Azam.
Pakistan’s Recent Success
In their most recent match, Pakistan displayed a polished performance, defeating Sri Lanka convincingly and restricting them to just 128 runs. Head coach Mike Hesson lauded the team’s clinical approach and highlighted the strong contributions from the top-order batsmen.
Among those making an impact is Sahibzada Farhan, who continued his excellent form from the T20I tri-series held in Pakistan. He emerged as the leading run-scorer in that series with 191 runs at a strike rate of 147. In his debut innings in Sri Lanka, he scored 51 runs off 36 balls, demonstrating his capability against the Sri Lankan bowlers.
Sri Lanka’s Challenges
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, is currently grappling with inconsistency in their batting lineup. Despite possessing talented bowlers like Dushmantha Chameera and Wanindu Hasaranga, the team’s batting struggles have been evident. Their captain, Dasun Shanaka, faces critical decisions regarding team selection as they seek to find a winning combination.
Kamil Mishara, who performed well in the recent tri-series with 169 runs at a strike rate of 139, faced difficulties in the last match, getting out for a duck. His ability to play impactful innings may determine his place in the lineup as the series progresses.
Upcoming Matches and Predictions
The conditions in Dambulla favor spin bowlers, and rainfall is a possibility, although it is expected not to disrupt play significantly. As Pakistan aims for victory, they are likely to retain their winning XI, potentially putting Sri Lanka on the back foot if they fail to adapt their strategy.
Team Lineups
- Pakistan:
- Sahibzada Farhan
- Saim Ayub
- Fakhar Zaman
- Salman Agha (capt.)
- Usman Khan (wk)
- Mohammad Nawaz
- Shadab Khan
- Faheem Ashraf
- Mohammad Wasim
- Salman Mirza
- Abrar Ahmed
- Sri Lanka:
- Pathum Nissanka
- Kamil Mishara
- Kusal Mendis (wk)
- Dhananjaya de Silva
- Charith Asalanka
- Dasun Shanaka (capt.)
- Janith Liyanage
- Wanindu Hasaranga
- Dushmantha Chameera
- Maheesh Theekshana
- Matheesha Pathirana/Nuwan Thushara
As the teams gear up for the encroaching matches, Pakistan seeks to build on their strong start and solidify their position as contenders. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka aims to stem the tide of their batting woes and achieve a turnaround in fortunes.
