Clinching the first ODI, visiting team Pakistan will be taking on Sri Lanka for the 2nd ODI at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota on August 26, 2014. The match gets rolling at 14:30 local time/ India Time.
Pakistan has already done their bit by winning the first ODI with four wickets in hand, and for the second one, none of the teams are going to take it easy.
There has been a change of venue for the 2nd ODI, which was originally scheduled for Colombo, thanks to the downpours that have refused to stop.
Pakistan has something to cherish from the 1st ODI, where for the sixth wicket, Sohaib Maqsood and Fawad Alam ensured to add 147 runs, taking the game away from the home team.
What remains the concern is the form of the top middle order. Players and star batsmen like Umar Akmal, Mohammad Hafeez, Younis Khan, and skipper Misbah-ul-Haq failed to make their mark, despite Ahmed Shehzad doing his bit to spark the proceedings with 49 runs.
Watch the match live on PTV Sports and Ten Sports in Pakistan and on CSN in Sri Lanka. Viewers in India can watch the match live on Ten Cricket TV channel starting 2:30 p.m.
Watch the match live streaming here.
PTV Sports will also be live streaming the match live at its official website.
Watch the live stream online on PTV official website here.
In a small blow, Pakistan will be missing Younis Khan, who has returned following a family tragedy. With no replacement, it is expected that Sharjeel Khan will team up with Shehzad for the opening.
Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to field first.
Also, Pakistan needs to consider facts with pacer Junaid Khan, who shelled out 75 runs with no wicket. For now, he is playing the 2nd ODI, which is a second chance.
Their other options are secure with Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Irfan. Spinner Saeed Ajmal, who is away in Australia, is expected to return for the 3rd ODI.
Sri Lanka too didn’t have much to boast about, given the top order failed badly. Some repair was done well by skipper Angelo Mathews, who scored a fantastic 89 runs. For this match, the home team needs runs from Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, and Dinesh Chandimal.
Lasith Malinga too haven’t been able to show his fitness, while Mathews Thisara Perera remained in form. The concerns also lie with Nuwan Kulasekara, who gave away 60 runs in the last game with no wickets.
Changes in the team may include replacing Rangana Herath for some rest with off-spinner Suraj Randiv.