Pakistan won the first Test by four wickets. (Twitter)
Sri Lanka yearns to reclaim their winning ways as they face Pakistan in the second Test match at Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, set to commence on 24th July, Monday. While the visitors strive to solidify their hold on the series, Sri Lanka resolutely focuses on staging a triumphant comeback in this momentous encounter.
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Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka faced a comprehensive defeat against Pakistan in the first Test, elevating the importance of this upcoming match. The onus is on their top order to deliver notable performances, while their fast bowlers must take lessons from Pakistan's bowlers to enhance their effectiveness.
In terms of batting, the team's key contributors are expected to be captain Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis, emerging rookie opener Nishan Madushka, reliable Dinesh Chandimal, and the versatile all-rounder Dhananjaya de Silva, who hold the responsibility of shouldering the major run-scoring duties.
Dhananjaya de Silva showcased his exceptional talent during the first Test, emerging as the standout performer with the bat for the Islanders. The skillful middle-order batter put on a splendid display, crafting an impressive 122 runs off 214 balls, significantly bolstering Sri Lanka's first innings total to 312 runs. In the bowling department, the team's hopes rest upon the expertise of the spin duo, Prabath Jayasuriya and Ramesh Mendis, who are anticipated to provide vital breakthroughs.
In pursuit of victory and levelling the series, the home side may implement a few strategic changes to their lineup.
Pakistan
Pakistan secured a much-needed four-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test at Galle, breaking their year-long Test drought and boosting their confidence for the upcoming match. The batting unit will depend on the likes of captain Babar Azam, openers Imam-Ul-Haq, and Abdullah Shafique, along with the middle-order trio of Saud Shakeel, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Agha Salman to score the bulk of the runs.
In the bowling department, Pakistan will rely on the pace duo of Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah to make early breakthroughs with the new ball. The spin trio of Noman Ali, Agha Salman, and Abrar Ahmed will once again aim to dismantle Sri Lanka's middle-order in the upcoming Test match.
With the 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series, Pakistan is likely to field an unchanged playing XI, carrying their winning combination into the next game.
Match Details
- Date and Time: 10:00 AM IST
- Venue: Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Colombo.
- Live Streaming and Broadcast: Sony LIV and Sony Sports Network
Pitch Report: The picturesque SSC ground in Colombo promises to be a haven for spinners, offering ample assistance to those who can master its intricacies. Batsmen with the ability to adjust and find their rhythm could harvest abundant runs on this challenging track. In the 43 Tests held at this venue, 16 teams batting first have emerged victorious, indicating the advantage of setting a target in the initial innings. The average score of the team batting first stands at 332, suggesting that a competitive total can be achieved with a solid batting performance.
Probable Playing XIs
Sri Lanka's Playing XI: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Dhananjaya de Silva, Dinesh Chandimal, Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Sadeera Samarawickrama (wk), Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Vishwa Fernando/Dilshan Madushanka, Kasun Rajitha.
Pakistan's Playing XI: Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Babar Azam (c), Saud Shakeel, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Agha Salman, Nauman Ali, Abrar Ahmed, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah
Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips
Wicketkeeper: Sadeera Samarawickrama
Batters: Dimuth Karunaratne, Angelo Mathews, Saud Shakeel, Babar Azam
All-Rounders: Dhananjaya de Silva, Ramesh Mendis, Agha Salman
Bowlers: Prabath Jayasuriya, Shaheen Afridi, Abrar Ahmed.
Captain: Dhananjaya de Silva
Vice-Captain: Babar Azam
Prediction
Pakistan radiates confidence in their capability to secure triumph against Sri Lanka in this Test match. The visitors possess a formidable pace attack, significantly surpassing that of Sri Lanka.
 "Vaibhav Tripathi")
