Cricket

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka ODI Preview & Tips - Pakistan to secure victory in ODI tri-series opener

By Ben Darvill

3 hours ago

Ben Darvill 3 hours ago

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Sri Lanka have lost two of their last three in the ODI game (W1)
Pakistan have won their last four ODI's against Sri Lanka
Preview, stats & head to head

Babar Azam of Pakistan (Getty Images)

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka ODI Preview & Tips
Head To Head
Pakistan Form
Sri Lanka Form

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka ODI Preview & Tips

Pakistan take on Sri Lanka in the opening match of their ODI tri-series with the former keen to grow in confidence ahead of their clash with England on Tuesday.

Sri Lanka are the underdogs in this ODI tri-series as they take on hosts Pakistan and favourites England in the 50-over format.

Babar Azam averages 53.44 in the ODI format for Pakistan
Pakistan have won their last four against Sri Lanka in the ODI game

Head To Head

Across their last 10 ODI meetings, Pakistan have won nine times while Sri Lanka have won once.

Pakistan Form

Pakistan help to raise the curtain on their own ODI tri-series as they host Sri Lanka in their opening match. As the most winnable of the games they will play, Pakistan will feel they simply have to triumph in this one.

Against Sri Lanka, Pakistan have been excellent. The latter have managed to secure nine victories in their last 10 ODI's against their opponents, while they have won two of their last three outings. While their last ODI series against the Aussies came all the way back in May and June, their 2-1 victory will have given them a lot of confidence heading into this one.

Impressive was how Babar Azam stood up to a strong Australian bowling unit as he scored 69, 16 and 40. Pakistan's best batter will have aspirations of starting this series with runs, and I back him to do just that as he leads his side to another win.

Sri Lanka Form

Sri Lanka have really struggled in the ODI game of late with their last 10 resulting in three wins and seven defeats.

Positively, they did manage to secure a 16-run win over England back in September, but this was immediately followed by a crushing 223-run defeat in the third and final ODI. While Sri Lanka were in the series at 1-1, they got nowhere near their opponents in a humiliating defeat.

Sri Lanka's first game against Pakistan will be followed by the latter playing England. By the time they take to the field again, Sri Lanka could be well short of Pakistan at the summit. This makes winning their opener even more important.

However, Sri Lanka have been in awful form in the ODI game, while they have lost nine of their last 10 ODI's against their opponents. Sri Lanka have the players to challenge Pakistan, but I do not see them putting it all together in their opener as their woeful ODI run is extended.

Verdict

Pakistan v Sri Lanka ODI

I am backing Pakistan to hand Sri Lanka another 50 over defeat as Babar Azam impresses with the bat.

Pakistan

Match Winner

@-227.27 - 1 Unit

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Azam 50+ Runs

Batter Milestones

@150.00 - 1 Unit