Pakistan Vs Afghanistan 1st ODI: Hambantota Cricket Stadium Pitch Report, Weather Forecast & Record

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Pakistan and Afghanistan will begin their warm up for the Asia Cup 2023 and World Cup 2023, with a three-match series, starting with the first ODI at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium in Hambantota on Tuesday (August 22).

Afghanistan, who will be led by Hashmatullah Shahidi, head into the series on the back of 1-2 series loss to Sri Lanka in June at the same venue in Hambantota. Babar Azam-led Pakistan, on the other hand, are fresh from a 2-1 homes series win over New Zealand in May.

Pakistan and Afghanistan will clash for the first time at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, where neither side have a great record in their limited appearances at the venue.

The Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium has hosted 24 ODI matches so far with most recent being earlier this year, when Sri Lanka played hosts to Afghanistan in back-to-back three ODIs.

Here is a look at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium Stats, Record, Pitch Report and Hambantota Weather Forecast ahead of Pakistan vs Afghanistan 1st ODI:

Hambantota Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium Info

Seating Capacity: 35,000

Number of matches hosted: 24 ODIs and 7 T20Is

Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium Pitch Report

In the 24 One Day International matches completed at the venue, the team chasing and batting first have had almost identical success. The wickets have often been a struggle for chasing teams as the pitch gets slow as the game progresses.

The average score batting first at the venue is 249. However, the games in June saw the teams score over 250 with ease in three innings, but the other two innings saw low scores. So, the team batting first will be at an advantage.

Hambantota Weather Forecast for Tuesday, August 22

As per AccuWeather, the forecast says Tuesday (August) will be mostly sunny and windy day with the maximum temperature expected to be 32° C. There is no chance of rain throughout the day. So, expect an uninterrupted match in Hambantota.

Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium ODI Stats and Record

Matches: 24

Home Team (Sri Lanka) Won: 11

Visiting Team Won: 9

Neutral Side Won: 1

No Result: 3

Matches Won Batting 1st: 9

Matches Won Batting 2nd: 11

Highest Team Total: 368/4 by Sri Lanka vs Pakistan in 2015

Lowest Team Total: 112 All Out by Kenya vs Pakistan in 2011

Highest Run Chase: 312/2 by Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe in 2017

Lowest Total Defended: 286/9 by Sri Lanla vs Australia in 2011

Average 1st Innings Score: 254

Highest Individual Score: Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) - 133 vs India in 2012

Most Runs: Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) - 721 runs in 13 innings

Most Wickets: Thisira Perera (Sri Lanka) - 18 wickets in 12 matches

Best Bowling Innings: Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) - 5 for 16 vs Kenya in 2011

Total Sixes in ODI at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium: 118

Most Sixes in ODI at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium: Angelo Mathews (Sri Lanka) - 8

Total Fours in ODI at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium: 970

Most Fours in ODI at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium: Kumar Sangakkara & Tillakaratne Dilshan (Sri Lanka) - 71

Pakistan vs Afghanistan ODI Head to Head

Matches: 4

Pakistan Won: 4

Afghanistan Won: 0

Highest Total For Pakistan: 258

Highest Total For Afghanistan: 257

Lowest Total For Pakistan: 248

Lowest Total For Afghanistan: 176

Most Runs For Pakistan vs Afghanistan: Imam Ul Haq - 116 runs & Babar Azam - 111 runs

Most Runs For Afghanistan vs Pakistan: Asghar Afghan - 149 runs & Hashmatullah Shahidi - 97 runs

Most Wickets For Pakistan vs Afghanistan: Shaheen Afridi - 6 wickets

Most Wickets For Afghanistan vs Pakistan: Rashid Khan & Mujeeb Ur Rahman - 4 wickets

Pakistan ODI record in Hambantota

Played: 4

Won: 2

Lost: 2

Highest Total: 317

Lowest Total: 203

Afghanistan ODI record in Hambantota

Played: 3

Won: 1

Lost: 2

Highest Total: 269

Lowest Total: 116

Pakistan vs Afghanistan 1st ODI Date, Timing and Telecast Info

Match Date: Tuesday, August 22

Match Start Time: 3 PM IST

TV Channel: Eurosport SD and HD channels

Live Streaming: Discovery Plus and Fancode App or Website