The second ODI between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan will be played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy today (11).
It was a record-breaking day on Friday (9) when the Lankan side beat the Afghans to go 1-0 in the series. After being asked to bat first, Sri Lanka posted a mammoth 381 on the board for the loss of three wickets. It turned out to be a run fest with over 700 runs being scored. Afghanistan fought back well after a collapse, with the likes of Mohammad Nabi and Azmatullah Omarzai slamming centuries.
Pathum Nissanka created history by slamming a double-ton, becoming the first Sri Lankan batter to reach the landmark in ODI cricket. He carried his bat through and remained unbeaten on 210 off 139 balls. His knock comprised 20 boundaries and eight maximums.
Sri Lanka vs. Afghanistan head-to-head
Sri Lanka and Afghanistan have faced each other on 13 occasions in ODI cricket. Sri Lanka have won eight times as opposed to Afghanistan’s four victories, with one match ending in no result.
Matches played: 13
Sri Lanka won: 8
Afghanistan won: 4
No result: 1
Overall, Sri Lanka have four wins and two defeats against Afghanistan at home. The visitors must win the second win to keep the series alive.
Pitch: As seen in the first ODI, the surface at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium is a belter of a track. The bowlers are expected to go on a journey of missing their mark. There will be plenty of runs on offer for the batters once they get settled at the crease.
Weather: The temperature in Pallekele is expected to be in the mid-20s. It will stay humid throughout the day.
Sri Lanka probable XI: Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (c and wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushmantha Chameera, Pramod Madushan
Afghanistan probable 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
(Sources: Sportskeeda and Cricinfo)