Full Preview, Match 1 Recap & Predictions

1. Match 1 Recap — 11 November 2025, Rawalpindi

Toss & Conditions

The home side, Pakistan, won the toss and chose to bat first. The surface at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is known to offer a good balance between bat and ball. Early on the new ball there was some movement for the seamers due to overhead cloud cover and a bit of moisture in the pitch. As the evening progressed, dew became a factor, making the second innings more favourable for batting. According to historical data, the average first‑innings total at this venue is around 242 and the average second‑innings total around 214.

Score‑cards

Pakistan Batting

Batsman	Runs	Balls	4s	6s	Status
Fakhar Zaman	32	55	2	1	out
Saim Ayub	6	14	0	0	out
Babar Azam	29	51	3	0	out
Mohammad Rizwan	5	8	1	0	out
Salman Ali Agha	105	87	9	0	* (not out)
Hussain Talat	62	63	6	1	out
Mohammad Nawaz	36	23	5	1	* (not out)
Extras	24	—	—	—	—
Team Total	299/5 (50 overs)

Sri Lanka Bowling

Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
Asitha Fernando	10	2	42	1
Dushmantha Chameera	10	1	63	0
Maheesh Theekshana	10	0	64	1
Janith Liyanage	8	0	48	0
Wanindu Hasaranga	10	0	54	3
Charith Asalanka	2	0	18	0

Sri Lanka Batting

Batsman	Runs	Balls	4s	6s	Status
Pathum Nissanka	29	39	3	0	out
Kamil Mishara	38	36	5	1	out
Kusal Mendis	0	1	0	0	out
Sadeera Samarawickrama	39	48	6	0	out
Charith Asalanka	32	49	2	0	out
Janith Liyanage	28	24	2	2	out
Kamindu Mendis	9	13	1	0	out
Wanindu Hasaranga	59	52	7	0	out
Maheesh Theekshana	21*	18	2	0	*
Asitha Fernando	0*	2	0	0	*
Extras	31 (b1, w26, nb1, lb3)
Team Total	293/9 (50 overs)

Pakistan Bowling

Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
Shaheen Afridi	10	0	50	0
Naseem Shah	10	1	55	2
Haris Rauf	10	0	61	4
Faheem Ashraf	10	0	49	2
Mohammad Nawaz	8	0	48	1
Saim Ayub	1	0	12	0
Hussain Talat	1	0	14	0

Match Highlights

• Pakistan’s innings was steadied by Salman Ali Agha’s classy century (105 off 87). He held the innings together after the top‑order faltered.
• Hussain Talat’s 62 added impetus in the middle overs.
• Sri Lanka’s bowling had moments: Hasaranga’s three wickets were pivotal, but the economy of other bowlers was a concern.
• In the chase, Sri Lanka fought valiantly. Hasaranga top‑scored with 59 but the target proved just too steep.
• Pakistan’s death‑over bowling held up: Haris rauf (4 wickets) especially made the difference breaking crucial partnerships.
• Fielding highlight: Babar Azam took a superb one‑handed slip catch to dismiss Samarawickrama, which shifted momentum.
• The pitch proved decent for batting but early movement for seamers and the dew factor in the second innings played a role.

Implications

With this win, Pakistan take a 1‑0 lead in the series. Sri Lanka will reflect on missed opportunities – particularly in the middle overs where the match could have tilted further their way. For bettors and blog readers, key take‑aways include: Pakistan batting depth, Sri Lanka’s spin challenge, and the importance of death‑over bowling and fielding moments.

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2. Prediction Tables for Matches 2 & 3

Match 2 – 13 November 2025, Rawalpindi

Predicted Scorecards

Pakistan Batting Prediction

Batsman	Predicted Runs	Notes
Fakhar Zaman	45	Improvement expected
Saim Ayub	30	Good recovery shot
Babar Azam	70	Looking for big knock
Mohammad Rizwan	40*	Anchor role
Salman Ali Agha	65	Solid form continues
Hussain Talat	35	Strike rotation
Mohammad Nawaz	25	Lower‑order special
Extras	25	Minor errors

Team Predicted Total: Approx. 295/6 in 50 overs
Fours predicted: ~32
Sixes predicted: ~6

Sri Lanka Bowling Prediction

Bowler	Predicted Overs	Predicted Wickets	Notes
Asitha Fernando	10	2	Early swing threat
Dushmantha Chameera	10	1	Occasional wicket
Maheesh Theekshana	10	1	Spin control
Wanindu Hasaranga	10	2	Key strike bowler
Janith Liyanage	8	0	Support role

Predicted Dot‑balls: ~100
Predicted Extras (wides/no‑balls): ~20

Sri Lanka Batting Prediction

Batsman	Predicted Runs	Notes
Pathum Nissanka	40	Start well
Kamil Mishara	50	Aggressive intent
Kusal Mendis	30	Build around
Sadeera Samarawickrama	45	Steady partner
Charith Asalanka	55	Captain’s knock
Janith Liyanage	25	Lower order
Kamindu Mendis	20	Quick cameo
Wanindu Hasaranga	35*	Finisher role
Extras	30	Discipline concern

Predicted Total: Approx. 285/8 (chased but fall short)
Fours predicted: ~30
Sixes predicted: ~5

Match Outcome Prediction: Pakistan win by ~20–30 runs.

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Match 3 – 15 November 2025, Rawalpindi

Predicted Scorecards

Sri Lanka Batting Prediction

Batsman	Predicted Runs	Notes
Pathum Nissanka	55	Strong start
Kamil Mishara	45	Continues form
Kusal Mendis	40	Builds innings
Sadeera Samarawickrama	30	Middle order stability
Charith Asalanka	60	Looks for series‑defining knock
Janith Liyanage	25	Lower order push
Kamindu Mendis	15	Quick cameo
Wanindu Hasaranga	35*	Value all‑rounder
Extras	28	Fielding lapses

Team Predicted Total: Approx. 275/7 in 50 overs
Fours predicted: ~28
Sixes predicted: ~4

Pakistan Bowling Prediction

Bowler	Predicted Overs	Predicted Wickets	Notes
Shaheen Afridi	10	2	Early strikes
Naseem Shah	10	2	Reverse swing threat
Haris Rauf	10	3	He remains key wicket‐taker
Faheem Ashraf	10	1	Effective support
Mohammad Nawaz	8	0	Containment role

Predicted Dot‑balls: ~110
Predicted Extras: ~18

Pakistan Batting Prediction

Batsman	Predicted Runs	Notes
Fakhar Zaman	50	Aggressive start
Saim Ayub	35	Momentum builder
Babar Azam	80	Big innings expected
Mohammad Rizwan	45*	Finisher strength
Salman Ali Agha	45	Consistent
Hussain Talat	30	Lower order push
Mohammad Nawaz	20	Quick strikes
Extras	24	Discipline improves

Team Predicted Total: Approx. 285/5 successfully chasing
Fours predicted: ~33
Sixes predicted: ~6

Match & Series Outcome Prediction: Pakistan win the series 2‑1. Sri Lanka manage a good fight in Match 3 but fall short by ~15 runs.

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3. Key Analysis & What to Watch

Batting trends

• Pakistan’s middle‑to‑lower order is providing crucial support, which augments their top order.
• Sri Lanka’s batting has improved, but the challenge remains converting starts into big totals in Pakistan conditions.
• Fours and sixes counts in both predictions show that boundaries will matter — the team that uses them better likely wins.

Bowling & fielding trends

• Pakistan’s pace attack (Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah) looks well suited to early and death overs at Rawalpindi.
• Sri Lanka’s spin twins (Hasaranga, Theekshana) will be key especially if the pitch begins to slow later in the series.
• Fielding will be a differentiator: Pakistan’s slip catch (Babar Azam’s one‑hander) in Match 1 set the tone.
• Dot balls and extras will matter huge: as predictions show, when bowlers keep dot‑ball pressure and limit wides/no‑balls, they gain control.

Pitch & venue conditions

The Rawalpindi stadium generally offers:

• Average first‑innings scores around 242. Cricket Times+1
• Matches often favour the team bowling first because of the new‑ball movement. Cricket Times
• Dew in the later part can assist chasing sides, so captains winning the toss might choose to field first especially if overhead conditions suit.
  Hence, the prediction leans to totals in the high 280s to low 300s in batting first situations.

Series implications

• With Pakistan leading 1‑0, pressure is on Sri Lanka to avoid being 2‑0 down. That could affect tactics.
• Pakistan will look to clinch quickly, emphasising aggressive batting early and controlling the death overs.
• For blog/Bet Pro audience: look at player props (Salman Ali Agha runs, Haris Rauf wickets) and match props (first‑innings total overs, power‑play scores).

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4. FAQs

Q1. Who won the 1st ODI and by how many?
Pakistan won the first ODI by 6 runs, posting 299/5 and restricting Sri Lanka to 293/9.

Q2. Who were the standout performers in Match 1?
For Pakistan, Salman Ali Agha (105) and Hussain Talat (62) led the batting. Haris Rauf (4 wickets) was the standout bowler. For Sri Lanka, Wanindu Hasaranga top‑scored with 59 and claimed 3 wickets.

Q3. How did the pitch at Rawalpindi behave?
The pitch offered initial assistance to seamers but became batting‑friendly as the innings progressed. Dew played a role in the second innings, favouring hitters. Average first‑innings totals indicate mid‑240s as par.

Q4. What are the predictions for the next two matches?
Predicted outcomes: Pakistan to win Match 2 by ~20–30 runs. Match 3 to be competitive but Pakistan to clinch series 2‑1. First innings totals forecast around 285‑310 in batting first scenarios; higher totals possible if conditions favour batting.

Q5. What should bettors/blog readers watch?

• First‑innings total (team batting first)
• Powerplay (0–10 overs) run‑rate
• Dot‑ball percentage & extras (wides/no‑balls)
• Player props: big innings (Salman Ali Agha, Babar Azam), wickets (Haris Rauf, Wanindu Hasaranga)
• Impact of toss and dew factor

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5. Conclusion

The opening clash of this ODI series was a close, riveting contest that delivered high‑quality cricket. Pakistan’s mix of experience and breakthrough performances gave them a narrow win and control of the series. Sri Lanka, though beaten showed resilience and have enough tools to dig deep in the next two matches.

With raw data showing that the Rawalpindi venue slightly favours the bowling side if used early, the emphasis on new‑ball discipline and death‑over control becomes paramount. Pakistan’s rhythm as batting first side and the home advantage place them as favourites. Sri Lanka’s spin attack and aggressive batting can unsettle them but conversion of starts into winning totals will be the key.

For the remaining matches: expect competitive totals, boundary‑rich innings, and moments of pressure where matches may tilt. For a reader of Bet Pro, the strategic angles will revolve around first‑innings totals, power‑plays dot‑ball percentages, and key individual performances.

In short: Pakistan are favoured to seal the series 2‑1, but Sri Lanka remain dangerous and capable of turning the tie with one strong performance. The next two matches promise excitement, finer margins, and plenty of value for cricket‑blog readers and bettors alike.