ICC World Cup 2019 Match 11, Pakistan v Sri Lanka: Preview, likely XIs, predictions

Both Pakistan and Sri Lanka made impressive comebacks in their respective second World Cup games after getting hammered in their opening encounters. While Pakistan overhauled tournament favourites England at Trent Bridge, Sri Lanka edged out Afghanistan in a close encounter in Cardiff. However, it is tough to pick an outright favourite for this clash in Bristol.

Even though the Pakistani bowlers held their nerve in the final overs and successfully defended 348 runs, the fact that England, helped by Jos Buttler and Joe Root’s tons, fell just 14 short of the target shows the chinks in the Pakistan bowling line-up that has two experienced fast bowlers in Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz. On a surface less helpful for batsmen where a score in the vicinity of 350 might not be feasible, the Pakistani bowlers could be put under pressure.

But the Sri Lankan batting line-up isn’t as strong as England’s and it is here that Pakistan hold an advantage. Mohammad Hafeez, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Babar Azam are in form and the opening pair of Imam-ul-Haq and Fakhar Zaman have brought some stability at the top of the order, which had been missing for quite some time.

For Sri Lanka, barring Kusal Perera and Dimuth Karunaratne, who have scored half-centuries in the league stage, no other batsman has shown fluency in strokeplay so far.

And while the Lankans bowled well against Afghanistan, defending a small target of 187, they were undoubtedly helped by bowler-friendly conditions in Cardiff and a batting line-up not in the same league as their Pakistani opponents. Sri Lanka have experience in Lasith Malinga, but the rest of the attack lacks experience. The seasoned Pakistani batsmen may take advantage of this perceived weakness.

Head to head

Pakistan lead Sri Lanka in the head-to-head count by 90 games to 54. At the World Cup, Pakistan have won all 3 matches. Most recently, the teams met in a 5-match series in the UAE in 2017. Pakistan won the series 5-0.

Key players

Mohammad Hafeez (Pakistan): Hafeez was the Player of the Match in the clash against England for his 62-ball 84 and the 38-year-old all-rounder has gained peak form just at the right time for Pakistan. His ability to mould his game according to the match situation makes him a vital asset in the middle order.

Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka): Malinga’s skills at the death were on display for the umpteenth time in the clash against Afghanistan where he mixed his slower balls, bouncers and toe-crushing yorkers to clean up the Afghanistan tail. Against an experienced Pakistan line-up, he could be Sri Lanka’s trump card.

Likely XIs

Pakistan: Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Sarfaraz Ahmed (c & wk), Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, Hasan Ali.

Sri Lanka: Lahiru Thirimanne, Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Kusal Perera (wk), Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Isuru Udana, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Lasith Malinga.

Prediction

Pakistan out-bat Sri Lanka to register their second consecutive win at the 2019 World Cup.