Sri Lanka vs Pakistan: Sri Lanka’s Batting Can Be Vulnerable Against the High Pace of Pakistan

• Pakistan lead the head to head record versus Sri Lanka by 13 wins to 8.
• Pakistan’s pace bowling attack is stronger than that of Sri Lanka.
• Sri Lanka’s batting can be vulnerable against the high pace of Pakistan.

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Odds

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Prediction and Pick

Pakistan and Sri Lanka have competed against each other in 21 T20 internationals over the years. Pakistan have won 13 of those clashes while Sri Lanka have claimed eight. Sri Lanka lead the last five meetings by 3-2 but Pakistan have a more complete side on paper. Expect Pakistan to win this Super 4 clash on Friday.

Pakistan to Win (-250)

Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Hasnain/Shahnawaz Dahani, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Danushka Gunathilaka, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka

Pakistan and Sri Lanka Look to Test Each Other Before the Final

Pakistan and Sri Lanka who have secured their place in the final of the Asia Cup 2022, will meet in this Super 4 fixture. The match will take place at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday.

Sri Lanka have turned things around exceptionally since their loss against Afghanistan in the first group match. They defeated Afghanistan by four wickets in their first Super 4 game and then beat India by six wickets to secure the top two finish.

Dilshan Madushanka was impressed with the ball against India, picking 3 for 24 while Chamika Karunaratne and Dasun Shanaka bagged two scalps each to restrict India to a sub-par 173/8. Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis hit brilliant fifties at the top of the order. Shanaka then scored 33* off 18 to take the side home along with Bhanuka Rajapaksa who made 25* off 17.

Having defeated India in the first game of the Super 4, Pakistan had a tough outing against Afghanistan. Their bowling unit did an excellent job to restrict the opponents to 129/6, with Haris Rauf picking 2 for 26.

Chasing the target, Pakistan fell behind the game with 3 for 45 on the board in 8.4 overs. Shadab Khan played a terrific knock of 36 in 26 balls while Iftikhar Ahmed added 30 runs. Asif Ali smashed 16 off just 8 but they had a collapse from 87 for 3 to 118/9. Needing 11 off 6 with no. 10 & 11 at the crease, Naseem Shah dispatched two full tosses over the rope to hand Pakistan a memorable victory.

Team News

Pakistan have a strong pace attack despite losing a couple of main bowlers, with Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah and Mohammad Hasnain doing a great job. The spin duo of Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz has been excellent in the middle overs. In the batting department, Babar Azam’s bad form is a worry while Fakhar Zaman hasn’t done anything either. Mohammad Rizwan, Asif Ali, Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan have won them the matches and will need to continue their good form.

Sri Lanka will be happy with the form and intent Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis have shown at the top of the order. Charith Asalanka needs to find form quickly. Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Dasun Shanaka have been terrific at their job. In the bowling department, Dilshan Madushanka has been very impressive while Chamika Karunaratne, Shanaka have chipped in with wickets – albeit at an expensive rate at times. Maheesh Theekshana has been economical but Wanindu Hasaranga has gone hot and cold.

Key Players

Mohammad Rizwan: The opening batter struggled to get going in the last game but remains a key player. He’s the top run-getter in the Asia Cup 2022, with 212 runs in four innings, albeit at a strike rate of just 120. He was superb against India, scoring 71 off 51. Rizwan, the new no. 1 T20I batter, has good numbers in the format, having scored 1874 runs in 49 T20I innings. Rizwan averages 53 in T20I cricket at a strike rate of 129, including one hundred and 15 fifties.

Dasun Shanaka: The Sri Lankan captain has produced numerous impactful efforts in the shorter format this year. He has scored 396 runs in international T20s this year at an average 40 and strike rate of 145. Shanaka had smashed 47* off 19 and 74* off 38 against India. Later he hit a 25-ball 54* to pull off a thrilling win versus Australia. The all-rounder bagged two scalps in the last game against India and scored an unbeaten 33 off 18 to take his side over the line.

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