2nd Test Preview & Prediction

When is Sri Lanka vs Pakistan taking place? Monday, July 24th-28th, 2023 – 05:30 (UK)

Where is Sri Lanka vs Pakistan taking place? Sri Lanka vs Pakistan will take place at Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo

LAST MEETING
Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by four wickets

THE LOWDOWN

SRI LANKA

There was a time in the first Test that Sri Lanka were in a strong position, but they let it slip and were unable to pull things back from then. After winning the toss and batting first, the hosts would have been disappointed to only get 312 until they ripped through Pakistan’s top order, reducing them to 101/5. That was where the positives ended for Sri Lanka as the tourists went on to eventually accrue 461. As the pitch became more receptive to turn, Sri Lanka’s second innings score of 279 left Pakistan a small total to chase down and whilst Prabath Jayasuriya put up a good fight with the ball taking four wickets, they succumbed to a four-wicket defeat.

PAKISTAN

It was delight for Pakistan in the opening Test and particularly Saud Shakeel, who played the key innings of the match, scoring a wonderful unbeaten double hundred, anchoring the first innings for his nation which ultimately laid the foundations for Pakistan to control (and ultimately win) the Test. He was well supported by Salman Agha, who helped put on 177 with Shakeel, hitting 83 before going on to take two wickets in Sri Lanka’s second innings. Shaheen Shah Afridi made his return to Test cricket in Galle and the left-arm pacer announced his comeback in style, ripping out the Sri Lankan top three in the space of 15 overs.

THE PREDICTION

Although Sri Lanka ended up on the losing side in the first Test, the fight they showed cannot be questioned with the spinners pushing Pakistan all the way. A stronger first innings performance with the bat may well have proven crucial, alongside the wicket of Saud Shakeel. That double century was what separated the two teams and you can’t expect him to play such a magical knock every match. If Sri Lanka can show a bit more ruthlessness with both bat and ball, then it would be no surprise if they were to hit back here and backing the hosts via the draw no bet market is well worth considering.