Match Details:
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan, 2nd Test
Venue: Galle International Stadium, Galle
Date & Time: July 24th-28th, at 10:00 AM IST and Local Time
Live Streaming: Sony Sports Network
Preview:
Sri Lanka will take on Pakistan in the 2nd and final Test of the series which starts on Sunday. The host’s Sri Lanka gave their everything in the opening Test of the series however failed to defend the huge target of 342 runs in the 4th innings and lost the match by 4 wickets. Half-centuries from Oshada Fernando, Kusal Mendis, and Dinesh Chandimal lifted them in the 3rd innings to take a good enough lead. On a surface that was turning a lot, they couldn’t capitalize as a result ended up on the losing side. They once again like to go with a heavy spin attack and are hopeful of delivering well in the series decider.
With some impeccable batting performances Babar Azam and Abdullah Shafique, Pakistan registered a memorable win in the 1st Test by 4 wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the series. With this win, they moved to the 3rd spot in the ICC World Test Championship Standings with a PCT of 58.33 %. Babar Azam’s lone heroics helped them to get past the 200 run-mark in the 1st innings however it was Abdullah Shafique’s gritty unbeaten knock of 160* runs in the final innings of the match that steered them home. They were overwhelmed with the kind of efforts they have put in the 1st Test with both bat and ball and looking forward to wrapping up the series with a 2-0 win.
What is the pitch report for SL vs PAK, 2nd Test?
Balanced.
Injury Updates:
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka has recovered from covid-19 and he has been drafted into the 2nd Test whereas injured Maheesh Theekshana will be replaced by Lakshitha Manasinghe.
Pakistan: Shaheen Afridi will miss the 2nd Test due to a knee injury.
Recent form:
Sri Lanka: LWLWD
Pakistan: WLDDW
What is the expected, Probable Playing XIs for SL vs PAK, 2nd Test?
Sri Lanka
Oshada Fernando, Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lakshitha Manasinghe / Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha
Pakistan
Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam (c), Fawad Alam / Agha Salman, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Yasir Shah, Hasan Ali, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf / Nauman Ali
What are the Top Picks, players for Dream11, My11circle and MPL for SL vs AUS, 2nd Test?
Top Pick – Batter
Babar Azam is a modern-day Pakistan legend, he has an impressive track record across all formats. Including a century and a half-century in the 1st Test, he struck 174 runs. He has got great game awareness which is one of his main strengths and never afraid of taking calculative risks.
Top Pick – All-Rounder
Mohammad Nawaz stood out with the ball for Pakistan in the 2nd innings of the 1st Test where he picked up 5 wickets. He can serve as a potential batter at No.7.
Top Pick – Bowlers
Prabath Jayasuriya got a great kick-off to his career as he has already picked up 21 wickets in his 2 Test matches including match figures of 9 for 217 in the 1st Test of the series.
Top Pick – Wicketkeeper
Dinesh Chandimal is in red hot in the purest form of cricket at the moment. Including twin half-centuries, he smashed 170 runs in the 1st Test with the highest score of 94*.
X-Factor:
Abdullah Shafique deserves the Player of the Match award for his man-winning knock of 160* runs in the 1st Test. It wasn’t easy at all to bat in the 4th innings where he showed a lot of character and played the Sri Lankan spinners well.
What are the fantasy suggested teams for SL vs PAK, 2nd Test?
1. Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Mendis, Mohammad Rizwan, Dimuth Karunaratne, Babar Azam (vc), Abdullah Shafique, Ramesh Mendis, Mohammad Nawaz, Yasir Shah, Hasan Ali, Prabath Jayasuriya (c)
2. Dinesh Chandimal (c), Kusal Mendis, Azhar Ali, Dimuth Karunaratne, Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq (vc), Oshada Fernando, Mohammad Nawaz, Yasir Shah, Prabath Jayasuriya, Naseem Shah
SL vs PAK, 2nd Test Probable Winners:
Sri Lanka are expected to win this match.