PAK vs SL 2026/27, PAK vs SL 2nd T20I Match Preview

Huge image – Pakistan go in as favourites

Through the first T20I towards Sri Lanka on Friday, Pakistan demonstrated that 2026 is just not fairly like 2019. Again then, they’d stumbled in pursuit of three Sri Lankan totals in succession – two of them decrease than the 182 they gunned down with relative ease two days again, whereas the third was precisely 182. With that collection maybe more energizing in Sri Lanka’s thoughts than it wanted to be, Kusal Mendis’ aspect opted, towards typical knowledge, to bat first after successful the toss in Rawalpindi this time, hoping to recreate the magic system from seven years earlier.

There have been a couple of issues we realized from the primary recreation, although. The Rawalpindi floor is not fairly as keen on fingerspin as T20 pitches within the subcontinent have been, which induced the hosts into enjoying three frontline seamers. Pakistan, who have been enjoying with no less than 5 potential opening batters, seem to have rejigged their batting order by pushing the timeless Fakhar Zaman up prime and sending Saim Ayub at No. 5.

Sri Lanka, in the meantime, could have realized that whereas 32-year previous Lahiru Udara hasn’t performed a lot worldwide cricket, his expertise on this format is unmistakable, as is his temperament beneath strain. Udara was the lone combating hand for his aspect throughout a lot of the innings, although that shines extra of a light-weight on Sri Lanka’s batting order as a complete. With Dunith Wellalage, whose power-hitting talents are restricted, batting at No. 7, the guests may wish to beef up their batting order.

However there’s solely a lot that may be learn right into a lone T20I firstly of an extended tour for Sri Lanka. Pakistan have a possibility to wrap the collection up by successful the second recreation, additionally in Rawalpindi, on Sunday, and will probably be favourites to take action after a dominant efficiency within the first. The fear for Sri Lanka is that their very own detached exhibiting comes on the again of three crushing defeats in England. On Sunday, they’ll attempt to present that is extra of a short lived rut than a good illustration of their present T20I state.

Kind information

Pakistan: WLWWL (final 5 accomplished matches, most up-to-date first)
Sri Lanka: LWLLL

Within the highlight – Naseem and Theekshana

Earlier than enjoying on Friday, Naseem Shah‘s final T20I got here seven months in the past. Even that recreation was towards Sri Lanka, and as Pakistan bowed out of the T20 World Cup, he conceded 36 runs in 4 overs – precisely what he did in Rawalpindi. However two days again, Naseem had two extra wickets to his identify in a patchwork of a spell that shed a little bit extra mild on the place his T20 recreation presently is. It’s consultant of a curious 12 months for him as he works his means again after falling foul of the PCB on the PSL, earlier than an damage sidelined him for months.

Naseem has labored his means again with respectable showings at a home 50-over event and the CPL. There is perhaps hope of a basis for a great run starting to take form, but it surely stays far too early to say.

Maheesh Theekshana, too, conceded 36 runs in his 4 overs within the first T20I towards Pakistan, however Sri Lanka might want extra from the person who has change into their lead spinner in Wanindu Hasaranga’s injury-enforced absence. Greater than any specifics about Theekshana’s spell, it was his bowling type that caught the attention – a poorly hid imitation of Sikandar Raza’s slightly than the extra conventionally oriented motion that he’s recognisable in.

It appeared to have disadvantaged Theekshana of the flexibility to sluggish the ball down as required, with Sahibzada Farhan usually choosing off the faster tempo with relative ease. Whether or not this remodelled motion sticks will probably be a degree of intrigue on this collection.

Workforce information – Will Wellalage be pushed down?

Pakistan captain Farhan stated he was completely happy by the efficiency within the first T20I. So an unchanged Pakistan aspect for the second T20I wouldn’t be a large shock.

Pakistan: 1 Sahibzada Farhan (capt), 2 Fakhar Zaman, 3 Maaz Sadaqat, 4 Hasan Nawaz, 5 Saim Ayub, 6 Khawaja Nafay (wk), 7 Shadab Khan, 8 Mohammad Imran, 9 Razaullah, 10 Naseem Shah, 11 Abrar Ahmed

Wellalage at No. 7 is perhaps a place too excessive. So Sri Lanka might look so as to add batting depth to their aspect by together with Sineth Jayawardena as an alternative of Nuwan Thushara, who went for 32 runs in three overs on Friday.

Sri Lanka: 1 Lahiru Udara, 2 Kusal Mendis (capt, wk), 3 Sineth Jayawardena, 4 Kamindu Mendis, 5 Kamil Mishara, 6 Sahan Arachchige, 7 Dasun Shanaka, 8 Dunith Wellalage, 9 Dushmantha Chameera, 10 Maheesh Theekshana, 11 Eshan Malinga

Pitch and situations

The additional grass on the floor in Rawalpindi meant it had one thing in it for the faster bowlers. With a recent strip anticipated for Sunday, that character is predicted to carry. Temperatures will stay a lot the identical, with a pleasing night forecast.

Stats and trivia

No aspect has crushed Pakistan 5 instances in T20Is in Pakistan. Sri Lanka, having completed so 4 instances, have an opportunity to change into the primary crew to take action.
The 29 extras Pakistan conceded on Friday have been probably the most they’ve ever leaked in a T20I. Their earlier highest was 20, towards Sri Lanka within the group-stage match on the World T20 in 2009.
Kusal Mendis is 90 runs away from overtaking Pathum Nissanka, who misses this collection with damage, as Sri Lanka’s main T20I run-scorer.

Danyal Rasool is Cricinfo’s Pakistan correspondent. @Danny61000