Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Match Prediction – Who will win today’s 2nd ODI match between SL vs NZ?

Sun Nov 17 09:15:03 UTC 2024: ## Sri Lanka Eye Series Win Against New Zealand in Pallekele ODI

**Pallekele, Sri Lanka – November 17, 2024** – Sri Lanka aims to clinch the three-match ODI series against New Zealand today with a victory in the second ODI at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. Sri Lanka holds a commanding 1-0 lead after a rain-affected win in Dambulla on Wednesday, where centuries from Kusal Mendis (143) and Avishka Fernando propelled them to a 45-run victory.

New Zealand, despite a strong opening partnership, ultimately fell short of the revised DLS target of 221, managing only 175/9. While the Blackcaps will be keen to bounce back, as they did in the preceding T20I series, they’ll need improved performance from their middle order.

Pallekele’s history shows a slight advantage to teams chasing (24 wins out of 42 ODIs played there), although recent rain-affected matches in the West Indies series saw chasing teams victorious. While rain is a potential factor, organizers anticipate a more complete match than the rain-curtailed first ODI.

Key players for Sri Lanka include Mendis, whose impressive form this year (47.71 average) will be vital, and spinner Maheesh Theekshana, whose role is magnified by the absence of Wanindu Hasaranga. New Zealand will rely on a stronger middle-order performance to challenge the Sri Lankan bowlers. The toss saw New Zealand elect to bowl first.