SL vs AFG 1st ODI 2024: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium Pitch Report and ODI Records & Stats
The opening match of the three-game ODI series between Sri Lanka (SL) and Afghanistan (AFG) is scheduled for Friday, February 9, at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
Following their first-ever Test encounter, Sri Lanka secured a dominant 10-wicket victory in Colombo. Despite Afghanistan’s improved batting display in the second innings, with Ibrahim Zadran’s century and Rahmat Shah’s consistent performance, their bowling department lacked experience. Nonetheless, they aim to perform better in the upcoming ODIs, a format where they have more experience and success.
Afghanistan, dubbed the Blue Tigers, enter the ODI series after an impressive showing in the previous year’s World Cup, where they won four out of nine matches and finished sixth. In their only encounter, they defeated Sri Lanka by seven wickets.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka, following a disappointing World Cup campaign, won just two out of nine matches and finished ninth. Despite recent victories against Zimbabwe, key players like Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal are absent from the ODI squad. The home team pins hopes on Sadeera Samarawickrama, their top scorer in the World Cup, to regain form. Despite this, their bowling lineup looks solid with experienced campaigners leading the attack.
SL vs AFG 1st ODI: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium Pitch Report Today Match 2024
At the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in ODIs, the average first innings score stands at 246. Teams batting first have won 14 matches, while teams batting second have clinched victory in 20 encounters. Additionally, two games have concluded without a result. The highest total recorded at this venue is 314/6, achieved by Sri Lanka against Afghanistan in 2022. Given these statistics, the toss-winning captain might opt to bowl first to gauge the pitch’s behavior. Moreover, the possibility of dew during the latter part of the match could pose challenges for spinners.
SL vs AFG 1st ODI 2024: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium ODI Records & Stats
The Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, located in Kandy, Sri Lanka, has hosted One Day International (ODI) matches since March 8, 2011. Over the years, it has witnessed a total of 36 ODIs, with the most recent match played on September 4, 2023.
In these 36 matches, the home side has enjoyed a reasonable advantage, winning 16 games, which accounts for 44.44% of the matches played at the venue. On the other hand, touring sides have secured victories in 15 matches, making up 41.67% of the total games. Additionally, neutral teams have won three matches, highlighting the diversity of teams that have competed at this ground.
When it comes to the toss, there’s an interesting balance, with both the toss-winning and toss-losing teams securing victories in 17 matches each, showcasing the unpredictability of the venue. Notably, there have been no tied matches at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, while two encounters ended with no result.
Among the standout performances at this venue, Ibrahim Zadran’s 162 against Sri Lanka on November 30, 2022, stands as the highest individual innings. Meanwhile, Mitchell Johnson’s impressive bowling figures of 6/31 for Australia against Sri Lanka on August 10, 2011, remain the best bowling performance.
In terms of team performances, South Africa’s 363/7 against Sri Lanka on August 5, 2018, marks the highest team innings, while Zimbabwe’s 70 against Sri Lanka on January 21, 2022, stands as the lowest team total. Notably, Sri Lanka’s successful chase of 314/6 against Afghanistan on November 30, 2022, represents the highest successful run chase at this venue.
Overall, the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium has witnessed competitive cricket, with a balanced mix of batting and bowling prowess showcased by various teams over the years.
| City | Pallekele, Kandy | ||
| Country | Sri Lanka | ||
| First ODI Match | 08/03/2011 | ||
| Last ODI Match | 04/09/2023 | ||
| Matches Played | 36 | ||
| Matches Won by Home Side | 16 (44.44%) | ||
| Matches Won by Touring Side | 15 (41.67%) | ||
| Matches Won by Neutral Side | 3 (8.33%) | ||
| Matches Won Batting First | 14 (37.84%) | ||
| Matches Won Batting Second | 20 (54.05%) | ||
| Matches Won Winning Toss | 17 (45.95%) | ||
| Matches Won Losing Toss | 17 (45.95%) | ||
| Matches Tied | 0 (0.00%) | ||
| Matches with No Result | 2 (5.56%) | ||
| Highest Individual Innings | 162 | Ibrahim Zadran (Afghanistan) | 30/11/2022 v Sri Lanka |
| Best Bowling | 6/31 | M G Johnson (Australia) | 10/08/2011 v Sri Lanka |
| Highest Team Innings | 363/7 (South Africa) | 05/08/2018 v Sri Lanka | |
| Lowest Team Innings | 70 (Zimbabwe) | 21/01/2022 v Sri Lanka | |
| Highest Run Chase Achieved | 314/6 (Sri Lanka) | 30/11/2022 v Afghanistan | |
| Average Runs per Wicket | 30.96 | ||
| Average Runs per Over | 5.42 | ||
| Average Score Batting First | 246 | ||