Sri Lanka vs. Pakistan, 2nd ODI: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview

Pakistan will hope to continue their excellent recent run against Sri Lanka when the sides meet in the second one-day international of five in Pallekele on Wednesday.

After winning the Test series, the visitors got their 50-over campaign off to a flying start with a six-wicket victory in the opening match in Dambulla.

Sri Lanka had no answer to Mohammed Hafeez who took four wickets then scored his 10th ODI century.

Let's see how the sides shape up ahead of the second game.

Date: Wednesday 15 July 2015

Time: 2:30 p.m. local/10 a.m. BST

Venue: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele

Live stream and TV info: Ten Cricket and PTV Sports (Pakistan), Rupavahini Corporation (Sri Lanka), Zee Cinema (UK—subscription required)

Weather: Thunderstorms and heavy showers are forecast so expect some interruptions, according to Accuweather. The reserve day could come into play.

Overview

Pakistan will be brimming with confidence ahead of the second ODI on Wednesday. After a stunning victory in the third and deciding Test match, the visitors coasted home by six wickets in the first match of the ODI series.

The hosts will have to find a way to deal with the in-form Mohammad Hafeez when the sides meet on Wednesday. Hafeez became only the second Pakistani to score a century and take four wickets in the same ODI in Dambulla on Saturday.

"

Since 2011, Mohammad Hafeez has won 22 man-of-the-match awards in international matches - the most by anyone, overtaking Kohli (21). #SLvPAK

— Ramiz Raja (@RealRamizRaja) July 11, 2015"

The personnel may have changed slightly from the Tests but Pakistan look in the mood in both formats.

The return of giant paceman Mohammad Irfan is a huge boost for a side that relied on spin for much of the Test series.

Irfan will be looking to rough up the Sri Lankan top order once again, opening the door for Hafeez and classy leg-spinner Yasir Shah.

Playing without the safety blanket provided by Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara, Sri Lanka need players to take control of games.

Seven of the top eight batsmen reached 20 in the first ODI but the hosts could only struggle to 255 from their 50 overs. That they got that many was down to Dinesh Chandimal and a promising cameo from debutant Milinda Siriwardana.

If Sri Lanka's batting lacks consistency, the bowling has little cutting edge. Even the great Lasith Malinga struggled in Dambulla, his eight wicketless overs going for 56 runs.

Angelo Mathews will need more than cameos from his batsmen and some fire from his bowlers if they're to level the series on Wednesday.

Key Players

Sri Lanka

Too many batsmen got in for Sri Lanka without going on to produce a big score in the opening match. It's time for the experienced players to lead from the front.

Skipper Mathews' last six ODI scores are 46, 44, 35, 51, 19 and 38. Converting a promising start into something more substantial will go a long way toward the hosts levelling the series.

Lasith Malinga looked out of sorts in Dambulla. Sri Lanka will be hoping he'll be better with some overs in his legs.

Pakistan

Sri Lanka must be sick of the sight of Hafeez. The Pakistani all-rounder's last four ODI centuries have all been scored against the Sri Lankans. He'll be looking to fill his boots once again.

Having a genuine fast bowler to intimidate the opposition is a huge plus for any side. In Mohammed Irfan, Pakistan have just such a player. Expect another big performance from the giant left-arm seamer.

Yasir Shah destroyed Sri Lanka in the Test series. If conditions suit, he's more than capable of doing the same in the 50-over game.

Squads

Sri Lanka: Angelo Mathews (captain), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kusal Perera, Upul Tharanga, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dinesh Chandimal, Milinda Siriwardana, Ashan Priyanjan, Nuwan Pradeep, Thisara Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga, Sachithra Senanayake, Seekuge Prasanna, Sachith Pathirana

Pakistan: Azhar Ali (captain), Mukhtar Ahmed, Ahmed Shezad, Mohammad Hafeez, Asad Shafiq, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, Sarfraz Ahmed, Yasir Shah, Bilal Asif, Imad Wasim, Anwar Ali, Mohammad Irfan, Ehsan Adil, Rahat Ali

Statistics and squad details courtesy of ESPN Cricinfo.