PAK vs SL, ODI World Cup 2023 Stats & Records at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad

Pakistan (PAK) and Sri Lanka (SL) will lock horns against each other in match number No. 8 of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 on 10 October 2023 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.

Pakistan will enter into the contest on the back of a win over the Netherlands in their first game by 81 runs. They were in trouble early on in the game, reeling at 38/3 inside the powerplay, but Mohamad Rizwan and Saud Shahkeel led the rescue with a 116-run stand as both scored 68 runs each while Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan contributed with 39 and 32 down the order to help them post 286.

In the bowling department, Haris Rauf and Hasan Ali picked up three and two wickets each as they won convincingly by 81 runs, eventually boosting the net run rate. Interestingly, Pakistan have never lost a World Cup game against Sri Lanka and will look to continue the winning streak.

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will be heading into the game on the back of a massive 102-run loss against South Africa in their opener. Their bowling was off-colour as they let South Africa score the highest-ever total of 428 runs in 50 overs. Injuries to Theekshana, Hasaranga and Chameera have weakened their bowling unit, and they are worried about it.

Though the target was 429, Lanka went down after a big fight with a splendid batting display from Kusal Mendis, who went round the park against the bowlers, scoring 76 runs off just 42 balls, including eight sixes, while Asalanka and Shanaka led the fight down the under with knocks of 79 and 68. Sri Lanka have never lost a game against Pakistan under Dasun Shanaka, and they would look to replicate the same in the upcoming game.

PAK vs SL Head-to-Head Record 

In as many as 156 games played between the two teams, Pakistan has dominated the contest with 92 wins while Sri Lanka have 59 games, one game ended in a tie, and four games hasn’t yielded result.

Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium Pitch Report:

The Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium is a venue where fans have seen many high-scoring encounters. The pitches on offer at the venue are helpful for the batters. The two warm-up games at this venue saw scores in excess of 300 being amassed in all four innings. However, the pitch wasn't as great in the encounter between Netherlands and Pakistan. Some balls from Shadab Khan turned viciously in the second innings. While the batters are still expected to be in for a treat, the Sri Lanka team will have to adjust as it might not be as batting-friendly as the one on which they played in Delhi against South Africa in the ODI World Cup 2023.

Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium ODI Records

In nine ODIs played at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, pacers have taken 83 wickets at an average of 37.49, while spinners have taken 46 wickets at an average of 37.58. The batting team has won six matches, while the chasing team has won three. The average first-innings total at this venue is 291.55. Teams winning the toss would look to bat first. 

X-factors for Pakistan vs Sri Lanka

Pakistan:

Babar Azam has scored 525 runs against Sri Lanka at an average of 58.33 in ODIs; this includes three centuries and one half-century, and hence, Babar Azam is the X-factor for Pakistan against Sri Lanka if at all they need to go big in the game.

Sri Lanka:

Kusal Perera has scored 445 runs against Pakistan at an average of 34.23 and has struck at 107.48, which includes two half-centuries and a century. Kusal Perera’s start will be the key for Sri Lanka against Pakistan, and he will be the X-factor.

PAK vs SL Player Battles to Watch Out For

Babar Azam vs Dunith Wellalage:

In just one innings played between the two, Babar Azam has scored just one from nine balls faced, while Dunith Wellalage has dismissed him once. Shanaka will go for Wellalage early on once Babar Azam comes to bat.

Kusal Mendis vs Hasan Ali:

Hasan Ali has been the go-to bowler against Kusal Mendis as Ali has picked up Mendis in all three innings that he has bowled, while Mendis has managed to score only seven runs in 18 balls. This match-up would tempt Babar to bring on Hasan Ali while Mendis is in. 

PAK vs SL Probable Playing XI 

Sri Lanka:

Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawicrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana/ Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka, Matheesha Pathirana.

Pakistan:

Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Nawaz, Hasan Ali