We have opted for a fantasy cricket team based on the recent performances, overall impact, and credit points.
Pitch Report
The wicket at Karachi appeared to be on the slower side. Out of 12 wickets to fall in the opening match, 8 belonged to the spinners.
Teams
Probable XI for Pakistan: Muneeba Ali (wk), Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Bismah Maroof (c), Nida Dar, Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Naseem, Fatima Sana, Tuba Hassan, Aiman Anwer, Anam Amin
Probable XI for Sri Lanka: Chamari Athapaththu (c), Hasini Perera, Harshitha Madavi, Nilakshi de Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), Kavisha Dilhari, Ama Kanchana, Oshadi Ranasinghe, Inoka Ranaweera, Sugandika Kumari, Achini Kulasuriya
Power Players
It was Anam Anim’s accurate spin bowling with the new ball that pushed Sri Lanka on the back foot. After dismissing both openers, she later came back to add another wicket to her tally.
Before the opening game, Nida Dar had scored only 45 runs in her last five outings against Sri Lanka. That said, she will be high on confidence after anchoring her side with a responsible knock of 36*.
Chamari Athapaththu might have been dismissed for a single-digit score in the last match. However, she added 313 runs at 44 and picked 4 wickets in the recently concluded Invitational tournament.
Smart Picks
Just when it appeared that Sri Lanka were on course for a decent first innings total, debutant Tuba Hassan rattled the visitors with figures of 4-1-8-3. Later, she also walked away with the Player of the Match Award.
Bismah Maroof will remain a key wicket. In her last five innings against Sri Lanka, she has scored 151 runs at 37.75, including the highest-score of 60*.
Although the tourists lost, Harshitha Madavi and Nilakshi de Silva finished as the top scorers for their side. If Sri Lanka are to get back in the series, they will need more meaningful contributions from the duo.
Sugandika Kumari might fancy her chances on the slow and low Karachi wicket. She opened the bowling in the last game and finished with decent figures of 1 for 21.
Match Preview
Although Pakistan won the opening game in convincing fashion, Sri Lanka have the quality to strike bat. That said, they will need to bat better to put pressure on the hosts. If the wicket continues to play slow and low, we could see another low-scoring game.
Time: 26 May, 2.30 PM IST