Pakistan Vs Srilanka match preview
The two Asian giants – Pakistan and Sri Lanka will clash against each other at the County Ground in Bristol on June 7 (Friday) to look for their second win in the ongoing ICC World Cup 2019. Meanwhile, the Lankans have never defeated Pakistan in a World Cup match and that they have lost in the last five meetings will keep Sarfraz Ahmed & Co ahead in the encounter.
Talking about Pakistan
Pakistan’s batsmen had anything but an easy ride in Nottingham as they succumbed to a bouncer barrage from the West Indies that saw them slump to 105 all out and a comprehensive defeat in their opening match of the World Cup on Friday.
Main Man
Babar Azam (Batsmen)
Babar Azam laid claim to a long-term spot in Pakistan’s batting line-up with a strong performance in 2016, making three consecutive ODI hundreds against West Indies in the UAE, and a 90 in his third Test, in Hamilton. He was 22 years old at the time. In Pakistan’s batting line up, Babar Azam will be looked out for to perform.
X-Factors
Mohammad Amir (Bowler)
Mohammad Amir, a left-arm pace bowler, reveres Wasim Akram. Over 2007 and 2008, he also emerged, still improbably young, as a hot pace prospect. Even before he went to England on an U-19 tour, he had been picked out as a special talent by Akram himself.
Amir was the only one to be a ray of hope in Pakistan’s previous game.
Talking about Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka did overcome the Afghanistan hurdle but had to struggle a lot. The batsmen once again failed to put the runs on the scoreboard and need to pull up their socks under the leadership of Dimuth Karunaratne. The likes of Lahiru Thirimanne and Angelo Matthews need to stand up and score runs for the team.
The bowling did a fair job in the last game, and it will take another magical effort from Lasith Malinga to stop a confident Pakistan team.
X-Factors
Kusal Perera (Batsmen)
Kusal Perera laid claim to a long-term spot in Pakistan’s batting line-up with a strong performance in 2016, making three consecutive ODI hundreds against West Indies in the UAE, and a 90 in his third Test, in Hamilton. He was 22 years old at the time. In Pakistan’s batting line up he will be looked out for to perform.
DKODING Verdict
Both Pakistan and Sri Lanka will come to this match on the back of a win and will be desperate to keep the winning run going. While Pakistan routed England, Sri Lanka defeated Afghanistan in their individual last match.
Besides, Pakistan have never lost against Sri Lanka in the World Cup and will look to keep their record intact.
And going by the recent form, Sarfraz Ahmed & Co will have a significant advantage over the Lankans at Bristol.
