Pakistan Vs Afghanistan 2nd ODI: Hambantota Cricket Stadium Pitch Report, Weather Forecast & Record

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Pakistan will look to take an unassailable lead in the three-match series when they face Afghanistan in the second ODI at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium in Hambantota on Thursday (August 24).

Babar Azam's men claimed one of their biggest margin win in ODIs despite scoring 201 in their innings as the bowling unit led by Haris Rauf, who claimed five wickets for 18 runs, bowled out Hashmatullal Shahidi's side for a mediocre 59.

Imam Ul Haq starred with the bat as the opener scored 61, but the others in the top order including skipper Babar faltered, putting Afghanistan on top. The Pakistan bowlers, however, combined to rattle the Afghan batters to seal a 142-run win that helped them take a 1-0 lead in the series.

Pakistan and Afghanistan will now clash for the second time at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, where the former have a better record in their limited appearances at the venue.

The Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium has hosted 25 ODI matches so far with most recent being earlier this week, when Afghanistan lost to Pakistan.

Here is a look at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium Stats, Record, Pitch Report and Hambantota Weather Forecast ahead of Pakistan vs Afghanistan 2nd ODI:

Hambantota Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium Info

Seating Capacity: 35,000

Number of matches hosted: 25 ODIs and 7 T20Is

Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium Pitch Report

In the 25 One Day International matches completed at the venue, the team chasing and batting first have had almost identical success. But lately the teams chasing have struggled to reach the target.

The average score batting first at the venue is 247. The wickets earlier used to assist spinners as the game progressed, but on Tuesday (August 22), the pacers dominated play, especially the Pakistan quicks.

Hambantota Weather Forecast for Thursday, August 24

As per AccuWeather, the forecast says Thursday (August 24) will be periods of clouds and sun with a passing shower or two with the maximum temperature expected to be 32° C. There is slight chance of rain at 7 AM, 9 AM, 2 PM and 6 PM. So, expect some interruptions in the match due to rain.

Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium ODI Stats and Record

Matches: 25

Home Team (Sri Lanka) Won: 11

Visiting Team Won: 9

Neutral Side Won: 2

No Result: 3

Matches Won Batting 1st: 10

Matches Won Batting 2nd: 11

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

Lowest Team Total: 59 All Out by Afghanistan vs Pakistan in 2023

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

Lowest Total Defended: 201 by Pakistan vs Afghanistan in 2023

Average 1st Innings Score: 247

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: 988

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

Pakistan vs Afghanistan ODI Head to Head

Matches: 5

Pakistan Won: 5

Afghanistan Won: 0

Highest Total For Pakistan: 258

Highest Total For Afghanistan: 257

Lowest Total For Pakistan: 248

Lowest Total For Afghanistan: 59

Pakistan ODI record in Hambantota

Played: 5

Won: 3

Lost: 2

Highest Total: 317

Lowest Total: 203

Afghanistan ODI record in Hambantota

Played: 4

Won: 1

Lost: 3

Highest Total: 269

Lowest Total: 59

Pakistan vs Afghanistan 2nd ODI Date, Timing and Telecast Info

Match Date: Thursday, August 24

Match Start Time: 3 PM IST

TV Channel: Eurosport SD and HD channels

Live Streaming: Discovery Plus and Fancode App or Website