IN BRIEF

Date: Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka will take place on Thursday, 14^th September 2023, at 15:00. (IST) at 15:00 (Local Time) and at 10:30 (UK)

Venue: Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka will take place at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka

Weather: Conditions are expected to be extremely hot throughout, but with a chance of thundery showers across the scheduled hours of play as temperatures reach highs of 27℃ with a gentle breeze throughout.

TV & Streaming: Viewers in Sri Lanka and the subcontinent can watch this match live on Star Sports channels or stream it via the Disney+ Hotstar app. Viewers in Pakistan can watch this match live on PTV Sports and TEN Sports or stream it through the Tapmad app and website. Viewers in Sri Lanka can watch this match live on Gazi TV or stream it on Rabbithole or through the Toffee app. Viewers in Afghanistan can watch this match live on Ariana TV. Viewers in the UK can watch this match live on TNT Sports or stream it via Discovery+. Viewers in Australia can watch this match live on Fox Sports or stream it via the Foxtel or Kayo Sports app.

KEY BETTING STATS

·       Pakistan have won each of their last eight ODI fixtures against Sri Lanka – To Win the Match 

·       Fakhar Zaman has scored under 28.5 runs in each of his last three innings for Pakistan across the 2023 Asia Cup – Batter Match Runs

·       Dunith Wellalage has taken eight wickets across Sri Lanka’s last three 2023 Asia Cup fixtures – Team – Top Bowler 

BETTING ANALYSIS

A marathon match between Pakistan and India, which was forced into a reserve day due to bad weather, saw Babar Azam’s side comprehensively beaten by 228 runs. Such a large defeat proved hugely damaging to Pakistan’s net run rate, meaning that only a win would do here if they wanted to reach the final. No batters did themselves justice against India, and all of them are no doubt aiming to bounce back strongly here. Not least opener Imam-ul-Haq, who struck 78 in his side’s opening ‘Super Four’ victory over Bangladesh. Imam currently stands on the cusp of history, with a score of 34 or more in this match, enough to see him become the fastest Pakistan batter to reach 3000 ODI runs. To achieve such a feat will only serve as motivation for him, and bettors should consider backing Imam to score over 36.5 runs via the ‘Batter Match Runs’ market. Alternatively, those looking for a riskier bet that offers a more profitable return should explore both the ‘Team – Top Batter’ and/or the ‘Batter Milestones’ market as options in which to invest in Imam. Backing the 27-year-old to score 50+ runs, for example, may also prove a shrewd move. Whilst both Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah, two of Pakistan’s fast-bowling attacks, are currently nursing injuries, which renders each of them doubtful for this game, it would be sensible to avoid investing in either of them. However, Shaheen Shah Afridi should be good to go again, and Pakistan will be banking on their left-arm fast bowler to break through the Sri Lankan top order. Consider backing Shaheen to pick up over 1.5 wickets via the ‘Bowler Total Match Wickets market.’

Sri Lanka’s 13-match ODI winning streak came to an end last time out as they lost to India by 41 runs, leaving their hopes of making the 2023 Asia Cup final depending on the outcome of this clash with Pakistan. One player who can hold his head up high is all-rounder Dunith Wellalage, who put in a magnificent individual performance against India, picking up a five-wicket-haul (only the second in this year’s Asia Cup) and scoring 42 not out in an unsuccessful chase of 214. Wellalage has now taken nine wickets across the tournament so far, the joint-highest alongside Haris Rauf and Taskin Ahmed. His confidence is likely to be sky-high with the ball in particular, and against Pakistan on the same ground as Tuesday’s match, Wellalage warrants investment via multiple markets. A small stake via the ‘Team – Top Bowler’ market is well worth considering, as is a stake in him being named ‘Player of the Match,’ both of which offer significant returns. On a pitch that is likely to spin if previous matches in Colombo are to go by, Mahesh Theekshana could also be afforded some joy for Sri Lanka. Having taken four wickets across the ‘Super Four’ stage thus far, look at backing Theekshana to take over 1.5 wickets vs. Pakistan.

CRICKET 8’S EXPERT PREDICTION

The injury doubts over two of Pakistan’s starting fast bowlers, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah, is a cause for concern. But the key to this particular encounter is the fact that Pakistan’s overwhelming strength-in-depth within their batting line-up should give them the edge over Sri Lanka. Whilst these two nations haven’t collided in 50-over cricket since 2019, Pakistan’s record historically over Sri Lanka in this format is excellent, beating them eight times in a row since June 2017 in the ICC Champions Trophy. In Shaheen Shah Afridi, Pakistan also boasts a world-class point of difference with the ball, and with victory required to book their place in the 2023 Asia Cup final, Babar Azam’s side are well worth backing to do just that, although keep a close eye on the weather forecast ahead of the scheduled start of play.

TIP: PAKISTAN TO WIN

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