Pakistan will be all set to lock horns against Afghanistan in the ODI series starting August 22nd at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, check out all the match details below along with the Sri Lanka pitch and weather report
As the cricket world eagerly anticipates the Asia Cup 2023 and the World Cup 2023, Pakistan and Afghanistan are gearing up for an enthralling three-match ODI series.
Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium Hambantota pitch report today, weather forecast, ODI records, stats for Pak vs AFG 1st ODI 2023
Both Pakistan and Afghanistan have limited experience at this venue, with neither side boasting a remarkable record here. As the teams set foot on this hallowed ground, all eyes will be on the pitch conditions.
Sweating it out in the nets for the next mission 🎯#AFGvPAK pic.twitter.com/EMV2nhT4mD
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 20, 2023
Pakistan, led by the talented Babar Azam, enters the series with a well-rounded squad. Babar’s recent stellar form, including a century for the Colombo Strikers in the Lanka Premier League 2023, bodes well for his role as both a captain and a prolific run-scorer.
The return of Saud Shakeel and Faheem Ashraf to the ODI setup further strengthens Pakistan’s lineup, while the likes of Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf will be expected to deliver impactful performances.
Getting into the Groove 🤩
📸: Snapshots from AfghanAtalan's practice session as they prepare for the Super Cola Cup three-match ODI series against Pakistan, powered by Marhaba Auctions. 💪#AfghanAtalan | #AFGvPAK | #SuperColaCup | #ByaMaidanGato pic.twitter.com/u8JLBFXHSg
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) August 20, 2023
On the other hand, Afghanistan, captained by Hashmatullah Shahidi, brings a strong squad to the contest. The opening partnership of Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz holds the key to setting the tone in the powerplay.
The experienced middle order, featuring Shahidi, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, and Mohammad Nabi, adds depth to Afghanistan’s batting prowess. With Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman leading the spin attack, and Fazalhaq Farooqi expected to shine with the new ball, Afghanistan’s bowling arsenal is nothing short of impressive.
The Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium Pitch and Weather Report
Known for its low and slow nature, the pitch at Hambantota can be a challenge for batsmen, rewarding those who are patient and able to rotate the strike effectively. Winning the toss and electing to field first could prove to be a wise choice, considering the historical pitch behavior.
The Hambantota weather forecast promises a rain-free day with temperatures hovering around 30°C This optimal weather condition is likely to contribute to an uninterrupted and thrilling contest between two formidable sides
The Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium Statistics:
The Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, situated in Hambantota, has played host to 24 ODI matches, with its most recent action being earlier this year when Sri Lanka engaged Afghanistan in a riveting back-to-back three-ODI series.
Given below is a brief stadium info for The Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota:
Year established – 2009
First international match hosted – 2011
Total seating capacity – 35,000 seats
Stadium ends – Thanamalwila end, Sooriyawewa end
The Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium ODI stats and record
The following are the ODI stats and records for The Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota:
| Record | Stats |
| Total games played | 24 games |
| Matches Sri Lanka Won | 11 |
| Matches won by Visiting Team | 9 |
| Neutral Team wins | 1 |
| Matches won Batting First | 9 |
| Matches Won Chasing | 11 |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 254 |
| Highest Total by a team | 368/4 by Sri Lanka vs Pakistan in 2015 |
| Highest Run Chase Achieved by a team | 312/2 in 47.2 overs by Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe in 2017 |
| Lowest Total by a team | 112 All Out by Kenya vs Pakistan in 2011 |
| Lowest Total Defended | 286/9 by Sri Lanla vs Australia in 2011 |
| Highest Score by a player | Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) – 133 vs India in 2012 |
| Best Bowling Figures by a single player | Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) – 5 for 16 vs Kenya in 2011 |
| Most Runs by a single player | Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) – 721 runs in 13 innings |
| Total Sixes | 118 sixes |
| Most Sixes by a single player | Angelo Mathews (Sri Lanka) – 8 sixes |
| Total Fours | 970 fours |
| Most Fours by a single player | Kumar Sangakkara & Tillakaratne Dilshan (Sri Lanka) – 71 |
| Total Fifties | 21 |
| Most Fifties by a single player | Kumar Sangakkara & Tillakaratne Dilshan (Sri Lanka) – 6 Fifties |
| Total Hundreds | 10 |
| Most Hundreds by a single player | Niroshan Dickwella – 2 hundreds |
| Most Wickets by a single player | Thisira Perera (Sri Lanka) – 18 wickets in 12 innings |
Pakistan vs Afghanistan ODI head-to-head record
Pakistan have managed to showcase consistent strides against Afghanistan and holds a clean winning record in their previous clashes Given below are the ODI head-to-head records and stats for Pakistan vs Afghanistan:
🔝-notch skills on display as @IftiMania gets game-ready! 🔥🏏#AFGvPAK pic.twitter.com/PhbXN8OZzf
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 21, 2023
| Records | Stats |
| Total games played | 4 |
| Matches Pakistan Won | 4 |
| Matches Afghanistan Won | 0 |
| Pakistan Won Batting First | 3 |
| Pakistan Won Batting Second | 1 |
| Afghanistan Won Batting First | 0 |
| Afghanistan Won Batting Second | 0 |
| Highest Total For Pakistan | 258 |
| Highest Total For Afghanistan | 257 |
| Lowest Total For Pakistan | 248 |
| Lowest Total For Afghanistan | 176 |