Pakistan and Sri Lanka are scheduled to compete in the 8th match of the ICC 2023 Cricket World Cup match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad, India. The match will be held on October 10 at 2:30 pm Bangladesh. This will be the second match for both teams, where Pakistan is coming with a win, and Sri Lanka lost their first match against South Africa.
Preview of Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka ODI Match in the 2023 ICC World Cup
Pakistan started their World Cup journey with an 81-run victory over the Netherlands. However, they encountered some challenges in batting against the Dutch bowlers. Nevertheless, Pakistan's strong bowling unit, led by Haris Rauf, ensured a comfortable victory. Ranked 2nd in ODIs, Pakistan is determined to clinch another win and strengthen their standing in the tournament.
It's important to highlight that the upcoming match will be held at the same venue where Pakistan competed last week, potentially giving them an additional advantage. Given that both teams experienced being bowled out on that particular day, the venue might favor the bowlers, making the choice for the Player of the Match likely to be influenced by bowling performances.
This year, Pakistan played 17 ODI matches so far and won 11 of them, while one match outcome was no result.
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Table: Pakistan's performance in ODI matches in 2023 So far
| Matches | Win | Loss | No Result |
| 17 | 11 | 5 | 1 |
Ranked 8th in ODIs, Sri Lanka experienced a challenging defeat in their first World Cup match against South Africa on October 7, 2023, conceding a record number of runs. The Lankan bowling unit, affected by injuries, struggled to contend with the challenges posed by Quinton de Kock, Rassie Vander Dussen, and Aiden Markram, who each notched up centuries. In contrast, the batsmen delivered an impressive performance, with Kusal Mendis showcasing his batting skills with a dazzling 76 off 42 balls.
Additionally, Charith Asalanka and Dasun Shanaka contributed significantly, both reaching half-centuries. Sri Lanka is eager to rebound and deliver an improved performance against Pakistan. With a historical reputation for competitiveness in World Cup matches, the team aims to rediscover their form in this crucial encounter.
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In the current year, Sri Lanka has participated in 23 ODI matches, emerging victorious in 14 of them. And they lost 9 matches in 2023. So, the Lankans have a good record so far, and they can give a good fight against Pakistan.
Table: Sri Lanka's performance in ODI matches in 2023 So far
| Matches | Win | Loss | No Result |
| 23 | 14 | 9 | 0 |
Stats of Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the ICC ODI World Cups So far
Pakistan has taken part in a total of 13 ICC World Cups, including the ongoing 2023 tournament. Notably, their standout performance was in 1992, when they clinched the World Cup title. In 1979, 1983, 1987, and 2011, Pakistan reached the Semi-Finals, while in 1999, they secured the runner-up position. However, their journey concluded in the group stage in 2003, 2007, and 2019.
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Sri Lanka has also made appearances in 13 World Cups. They secured the World Cup title once in 1996 and finished as runners-up on two occasions in 2007 and 2011.
Table: Pakistan and Sri Lanka Stats in ICC ODI World Cups
| Team | Appearances | Total Matches Played | Wins | Losses | Tie | No Result |
| Pakistan | 13 times | 80 | 45 | 32 | 0 | 3 |
| Sri Lanka | 13 times | 83 | 38 | 39 | 1 | 5 |
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Head-to-Head ODI Matches So Far
Pakistan and Sri Lanka have contested each other in a total of 156 matches. Out of this tally, Pakistan emerged triumphant in 92 encounters, while Sri Lanka secured victories in 59 matches. Additionally, four matches concluded without a result, and one match ended in a tie.
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Table: PAK vs. SL Head-to-Head ODI Matches So Far
| Matches | Pakistan Won | Sri Lanka Won | No Result |
| 156 | 92 | 59 | 40 |
Probable Pakistan XI
Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf.
Probable Sri Lanka XI
Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dushan Hemantha, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana.
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Pakistani Players to Watch
Babar Azam
Babar Azam, the team captain and ICC's top-ranked ODI batter, is set to play a crucial role as the main man of Pakistan's batting order. Although he could not do well (scored 5 runs only) against the Netherlands, Babar might emerge as a mighty batter in the next match. This year, Babar played 17 matches so far and scored 750 runs, which consists of two centuries and six centuries.
Haris Rauf
Haris took three wickets in the last match against the Netherlands, and he has been one of the most prominent bowlers of Pakistan. This year, he played 14 ODIs and grabbed 27 wickets. So, he might lead the Pakistani bowling lineup in the next match against Sri Lanka.
Shaheen Afridi
In the ODIs of 2023, Pakistani bowler Shaheen Afridi has showcased an outstanding performance, proving to be a tough force with the ball. In 13 matches, he has taken an impressive 25 wickets at an economical rate of 5.30. Afridi's bowling average stands at 22.64, reflecting his effectiveness in consistently breaking through opposition batting line-ups. He took one wicket in the last match.
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Sri Lankan Players to Watch
Charith Asalanka
Charith Asalanka holds a significant role for Sri Lanka, currently standing as their highest-ranked ODI batsman. His noteworthy performance against South Africa in the last match, where he emerged as the top scorer, reflects his excellent form. Considering these achievements, he might be the savior for Sri Lanka in the next match.
Matheesha Pathirana
Emerging as one of the standout talents in Sri Lankan cricket over the last year, Pathirana has made a significant impact since his ODI debut in June. In the span of 11 matches, he has claimed 16 wickets. Drawing inspiration from the distinctive sling round-arm fast-bowling style of Lasith Malinga, Pathirana has proven adept at curbing opposition scoring rates, showcasing his ability to be a valuable asset in the bowling department. However, Pathirana had a poor performance in the last match, taking one wicket at a 9.5 economy rate.
Final Words
Pakistan has a good chance to win the PAK vs. SL match on October 10’s ICC World Cup match, because they have been really successful in past Cricket World Cup matches. They have got a superstar player, Babar Azam, who is excellent at batting, and their fast bowlers are tough to beat. So, Pakistan looks like they might come out as a winner in this match.
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