Afghanistan didn’t have a great start to the tour of Sri Lanka as the visitors suffered a 10-wicket defeat in the only Test match. Now, the tour will continue with a 3-ODI series scheduled to be played at Pallekele. The series will kick off on February 9, and ahead of the series, in this space, you will find the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium pitch report and the last ODI match scorecard at the venue. Also, find out how the previous matches have fared at this stadium.
Pallekele International Cricket Stadium ODI Records (Before SL vs AFG 2024 Series)
Pallekele started hosting ODI matches in 2011 and in span of 13 years, it has hosted 36 men’s ODI matches. Recently the venue hosted 3 matches of Asia Cup 2023.
- Matches Played: 36
- Won by the team batting first: 17
- Won by the team batting second: 17
- No Result: 2
- Biggest score while batting first: South Africa – 363/7 (50) vs Sri Lanka, 2018
- Lowest score while batting first: Bangladesh – 164/10 (42.4) vs Sri Lanka, 2023
- Biggest total chased: Sri Lanka chased 313 vs Afghanistan, 2022
- Lowest Score Defended: West Indies defended 206 vs Sri Lanka, 2015
- Pallekele Cricket Stadium average 1st innings score in men’s ODI: 251
- Pallekele Cricket Stadium average 2nd innings score in men’s ODI: 204
- Best figures for a Pacer: Mitchell Johnson (AUS) – 6/31 vs SL, 2011
- Best figures for a Spinner: Akila Dananjaya (SL) – 6/54 vs IND, 2017
- Highest score by a Batter: Ibrahim Zadran (AFG) – 162(138) vs SL, 2022
Pallekele International Cricket Stadium Pitch Report for SL vs AFG ODI
The Pallekele pitch has witnessed some high-scoring games. Similar to a typical Asian pitch, the surface here is favorable for batsmen. Pacers might find assistance in the initial overs, but as the game progresses, the pitch tends to become even better for batting.
Spin bowlers will play a crucial role in the middle overs. In ODI matches, the toss may not have a big impact here. However, if Afghanistan wins the toss, they are likely to opt for batting first, as they rely more on their bowling strength. They have the ability to defend a total against top sides.
Pallekele International Cricket Stadium Last ODI Match Scorecard
The last ODI match at Pallekele featured India facing Nepal during the Asia Cup 2023. The match was affected by rain after Nepal’s 48 overs, resulting in the implementation of the DLS method. India’s revised target was 147 runs in 23 overs, which they achieved with 17 balls to spare and without losing any wickets.
| Nepal: 230-10 (48.2) | India: 147-0 (20.1) |
| Aasif Sheikh: 58(97) | Rohit Sharma: 74*(59) |
| Sompal Kami: 48(56) | Shubman Gill: 67*(62) |
| Kushal Bhurtel: 38(25) | |
| Mohammed Siraj: 9.2 – 1 – 61 – 3 | |
| Mohammed Shami: 7 – 0 – 29 – 1 | |
| Match Result: India won by 10 wickets (DLS Method) |