Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, 2nd ODI Match Preview

Pallekele is bracing itself for yet another showdown as Sri Lanka and Afghanistan lock horns in the second ODI on Sunday, February 11, at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. The first encounter witnessed record-breaking performances, leaving fans eager for more action.

In the previous match, Sri Lanka showcased their prowess, posting an imposing total of 381 runs after being put in to bat. The highlight of the day was Pathum Nissanka's historic double-century, a first for any Sri Lankan in ODI cricket. His unbeaten 210 off 139 balls left cricket enthusiasts in awe, with 20 boundaries and eight maximums.

However, Afghanistan displayed resilience with Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi's extraordinary partnership of 242 runs for the sixth wicket. Despite their commendable centuries, the target proved elusive as they fell short by 42 runs, with Pramod Madushan's four-wicket haul sealing Sri Lanka's victory.

As cricket fans gear up for the second clash, expectations are high for another nail-biting encounter. The Pallekele International Cricket Stadium's pitch is proving to be a batter's paradise, setting the stage for an intense battle between the bat and the ball.

The head-to-head statistics between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan in ODIs stand at eight wins for Sri Lanka, four for Afghanistan, and one ending in no result out of the 13 encounters. With the series poised at 1-0, both teams will be keen to assert their dominance.

Pallekele International Cricket Stadium Pitch Report

The Pallekele International Cricket Stadium surface generally leans towards the slower side, but this time around, it appears to have been tailored to favor the batters, evident from the high-scoring first game where over 700 runs were scored. Spinners are still expected to find some advantage, making batting first the preferable choice. Historically, anything above 290 runs was considered a good total at this venue.

However, with the introduction of a new surface and anticipated dew in the second innings, a score of 320 becomes imperative for the team batting first. Cricket enthusiasts can brace themselves for an enthralling contest on Sunday, with the weather forecast indicating a mild mid-20s temperature and persistent humidity throughout the day.

SL vs AFG Predicted Playing XI

Sri Lanka (SL):

Sri Lanka's lineup presents a solid blend of youth and experience. The batting order relies on the likes of Nissanka and Fernando, with Mendis shouldering leadership responsibilities. The bowling attack, led by Hasaranga, is expected to contribute to both wickets and all-round duties.

Predicted XI: Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (c & wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushmantha Chameera, Pramod Madushan

Afghanistan (AFG):

The Afghan lineup is set to showcase their batting prowess with Gurbaz, Zadran, and Shah forming the core. Shahidi takes up the captaincy mantle, leading a lineup that includes the experienced Nabi and the promising Alikhil behind the stumps. The bowling attack will rely on the skills of Naib, Omarzai, Ahmad, Farooqi, and Malik.

Predicted XI: 

Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil (wk), Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad Malik

SL vs AFG ODIs Head-to-Head Records:

SL vs AFG, 2nd ODI, Broadcast Details: