SL vs NZ 2nd ODI Match Prediction: Who Will Win Today’s Match Between Sri Lanka And New Zealand?

SL vs NZ 2nd ODI Match Prediction [Source: @BLACKCAPS/x.com]

Sri Lanka and New Zealand are gearing up for the second ODI of the three-match series on Sunday, November 17, at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. With the hosts leading the series 1-0 after a solid 45-run win in the opener, New Zealand has their work cut out if they want to level things up.

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka couldn’t have asked for a better start. In the first ODI, their top order went all guns blazing, with Kusal Mendis and Avishka Fernando each playing a sublime knock. Mendis’s 143 and Fernando’s 100 set the stage for a hefty 324/5 in a rain-affected 49.2 overs.

Dilshan Madushanka led the bowling charge, with three crucial wickets, while Maheesh Theekshana and skipper Charith Asalanka chipped in with two each, leaving New Zealand struggling at 175/9. Sri Lanka will want to replicate this energy and clinch the series, especially with the way their batters are handling the Kiwi bowlers.

New Zealand

For New Zealand, the first match was an uphill battle. After Jacob Duffy snagged three wickets, they hoped for better control, but Sri Lanka kept piling up runs.

Chasing a revised target of 221 in 27 overs due to rain was a challenge, and while openers Will Young and Tim Robinson gave it a promising start, the rest of the lineup couldn’t withstand Sri Lanka’s bowlers, ending at 175/9. New Zealand knows they need to tighten up, both with the ball and in the middle order if they’re to avoid a series loss.

SL vs NZ Head-to-Head Records

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How Will the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium Pitch Behave?

Pallekele isn’t a straightforward surface as it typically favours spinners, and the later stages of the game make run-chasing more manageable. With an average first-innings score of 246, teams have a decent chance to put up a fight, but captains usually prefer to field first here, as the ball comes nicely onto the bat later. The stats back this up — out of 42 ODIs, teams chasing have won 24 times.

Players To Watch Out For In SL vs NZ

Sri Lanka

Kusal Mendis

Over the last 10 matches, Kusal Mendis has accumulated 422 runs at an average of 46.89 and a strike rate of 90.75. Notably, he scored a commanding 143 runs in the first ODI against New Zealand, leading Sri Lanka to a series-opening victory.

Charith Asalanka

Charith Asalanka has contributed 380 runs in his last 10 matches, averaging 42.22 with a strike rate of 91.78. He has also been impactful with the ball, securing 9 wickets in his last 9 matches at an economy rate of 4.63 and a strike rate of 26.77. His all-round capabilities make him a valuable player for Sri Lanka.

New Zealand

Will Young

Will Young has been consistent, scoring 350 runs in his last 7 matches at an average of 50 and a strike rate of 95.1. He contributed 48 runs in the first ODI against Sri Lanka, though New Zealand fell short in the chase.

Jacob Duffy

Jacob Duffy has claimed 7 wickets in 4 matches at an economy rate of 5.39 and a strike rate of 25.14. He was the standout bowler for New Zealand in the first ODI against Sri Lanka, taking 3 wickets for 41 runs.

Today's Match Prediction: SL vs NZ

Predicted Top Performers

Sri Lanka – Kusal Mendis, Avishka Fernando, Charith Asalanka
New Zealand – Will Young, Mitchell Santner, Jacob Duffy

SL vs NZ: Predicted Score

Predicted first innings score: 240-260
Predicted second innings score: 245-265

Predicted Result: The toss will be a critical factor here, and the team fielding first will likely have an edge in this match.

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