Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad Pitch Report & Weather Forecast for PAK vs SL, ICC World Cup 2023 Match

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Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad is all set to stage it's third and final match of the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023 in the space of four days when the venue hosts a clash of champions as Pakistan take on Sri Lanka in match 8 on Tuesday (October 10).

Pakistan led by Babar Azam will aim to extend their winning streak after opening match victory over Netherlands, while Dasun Shanaka's Sri Lanka will soon look to stop the slide following a huge defeat to South Africa in their campaign opener.

At the same venue in Hyderabad, Pakistan rode on fifties from Muhammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel to set a target of 287 before a combined bowling effort led by Haris Rauf helped budle out Netherlands for 205 to seal an 81-run win.

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, saw their bowlers taken to the cleaners by South Africa, who rode on hundreds from Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen and Quinton de Kock to set the highest total in Cricket World Cup history - 428/5.

In response, the Lankan batters folded for 326 to lose by 102 runs, but will take some positives from the fifties of skipper Shanaka, Kusal Mendis and Charith Asalanka at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.

Both the matches were uninterrupted by rain or any other weather conditions. But with some parts of India witnessing showers, here is a look at the weather forecast and the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium pitch report for PAK vs SL 8th ICC World Cup match:

Hyderabad Weather Forecast on October 10

Like on October 9, there is no threat of rain in Hyderabad even on Tuesday (October 10), when there is forecast for a hazy sunshine in the day with a maximum temperature of 34° C at the start of play, reducing to 26° C at the time of close of play.

Plus, with no threat of dew in Hyderabad, both teams will need to pick and chose what they do during the toss based on their respective strengths. Last match at the venue saw the team batting first post over 300. But, how is the wicket going to play in Pakistan vs Sri Lanka match?

Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium pitch report for PAK vs SL World Cup match

The Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, which has used three kinds of pitches black soil, red soil and a mixture of red and black soil over the years, is likely to provide another batting friendly surface that could provide the quicker bowlers some bounce.

On October 6, a hard dry surface, possibly a black soil wicket, was used that saw the quick bowlers extract some bounce and find joy when they hit certain areas, but it was a batter friendly wicket like it has usually been. The same patter followed in the second match.

With only one game remaining in Hyderabad, a similar wicket that was used during the warm up matches, could be used for the PAK vs SL match on October 10, when the captain winning the toss may decide to put runs on the board after the decision to field has back-fired in the last 2 matches.

In the 8 official ODIs played at this venue, the team batting first has had a slight edge, but the teams chasing too have come close in those matches. SL will be tempted to chase despite their defeat, while Pakistan may look to get runs on the board.