Pakistan set 278 runs target before Sri Lanka to win the match.
Once again Pakistan middle order made vital contribution to guide towards good total.
Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq consolidated the Pakistani innings very well after dismissal of 3 batsmen. Misbah smashed second consecutive 50 was unbeaten for 82 runs. Younis Khan also scored fifty before dismissed by Rangana Herath.
For Sri Lanka, Perera and Herath took 2 wickets each while Mathews and Murlitharan claimed one wicket each.
Once again Pakistan middle order made vital contribution to guide towards good total.
Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq consolidated the Pakistani innings very well after dismissal of 3 batsmen. Misbah smashed second consecutive 50 was unbeaten for 82 runs. Younis Khan also scored fifty before dismissed by Rangana Herath.
For Sri Lanka, Perera and Herath took 2 wickets each while Mathews and Murlitharan claimed one wicket each.
Once Pakistan was looking to touch the 300 mark but Sri Lankan bowlers bowled well in death overs.
Sri Lanka haas a good batting side and they can chase this total. However, the highest defending total at this track is 280 and it seems that 278 will be good total.
Pakistan lost two wickets after good start against Sri Lanka. Hafeez was looking good when he threw his wicket during the huge mix-up. Hafeez scored 32 runs.
Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi won the crucial toss and decided to bat against Sri Lanka.
Pakistan has made no changes in the final XI. Sri Lanka has made two changes for today’s match. Chamara Kapugedera and Ajantha Mendis have paved the way for Chamara Silva and Rangana Herath in the side.
Shahid Afridi feels 270-280 total will be defendable on this track.
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka: Preview
Two heavyweights from Asia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, will lock horns in a Group A match to establish the supremacy in the sub-continent on Saturday.
The high-voltage encounter will be played at R Premadasa stadium in Colombo.
Both the teams have won their World Cup opener convincingly against minnows Canada and Kenya.
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka game is one of the much awaited clashes of World Cup 2011.
As far as advantage is concerned, Sri Lanka has definite edge over Pakistan as they will play under home crowd and support.
Sri Lanka is one of the favourites for the coveted trophy and they have been playing brilliant cricket for the past couple of years.
Sri Lanka is one of the most balanced sides in this World Cup. Sri Lanka has strong batting line up. All the batsmen, including Kumara Sangakkara, Tilakratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene and Upul Tharanga Samaraveera, Chamara Kapugedera and Angelo Mathews are in good touch with the bat.
In the bowling department, Lasith Malinga-led pace battery can wreak havoc in the sub-continent while spin wizard Muttaiah Muralitharan and mystery bowler Ajantha Mendis can force any batsmen to dance to their tunes.
On the other hand, Pakistan side is dubbed as the dark horse of the tournament. They have performed brilliantly against Kenya. The opening is the only area of concerned for skipper Shahid Afridi. Middle order is very experienced and balanced.
Teams:
SL: Upul Tharanga, Tilakratne Dilshan, Kumara Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, T Samaraweera, Chamara Silva, Angelo Mathews, NLTC Perera, Nuan Kulasekara, Rangana Herath, M Muralitharan
Pak: Mohammad Hafeez, Ahmed Shehzad, Kamran Akmal, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Umar Akmal, Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq, Umar Gul, Abdur Rehman, Shoaib Akhtar
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