Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

CWC 2019 Match 11: Pakistan v Sri Lanka Preview Dream11. PAK vs SL Dream11 Prediction

If there was ever any confirmation so far of just how unpredictable this World Cup could be, these two teams have delivered the most undeniable proof. The match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka is under threat to rain on Friday in Bristol, but this is a chance to talk about both these teams.

Pakistan. Predictably unpredictable. Defying logic for years, and proud to do so. An 11 game rut, embarrassing 105 all-out vs West Indies and 4-0 loss to England just last month was meant to mean another loss to the same opposition. Assume at your own peril, though, as Pakistan delivered a magnificent performance to knock off world number one England in a World Cup match on their turf. The key question, though, is whether they can follow it up with another big performance. Well… can they?

Sri Lanka’s unpredictability is a little less extreme. After all, they have been predictably disappointing since 2017. However, the significant swing between good and bad was on show against Afghanistan, racing to 144/1 before getting shot out for 201. They snuck home against a side that played arguably its worst game in recent memory, so Sri Lanka need to take the good moments and build on them further against more established opposition. Can Sri Lanka spring a surprise and end up with two wins from their first three games?

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Key to a Pakistan win

There was plenty of soul-searching for Pakistan to do. That performance against West Indies was not good enough, and the onus was on the batsmen to deliver a good showing against England. In true Pakistan fashion, the men in green were a team transformed, dishing out 105 one day to 348/8 the next. The catalyst? A strong top order display, weathering any short ball challenge England bowled at them, which was then capitalised on by Mohammad Hafeez and co. Can Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam build on the good starts they made last time out?

Also, former fast man Shoaib Akhtar called for the Pakistan fast men to show some fight. The kind that can resurrect their tournament. The kind that could make he, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis proud. Safe to say the bowlers did just that, never letting England settle even with Joe Root and Jos Buttler going strong. A great opportunity awaits Pakistan against a fragile Sri Lankan lineup. However, as this tournament has showed so far, there is to be no complacency. Can Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz and Hasan Ali fire from the get go? Can the spinners make key contributions, just as Mohammad Nabi was able to last time out against Sri Lanka?

Key to a Sri Lanka win

The pitch in Bristol is expected to be a lot more conducive to batting than Cardiff, where Sri Lanka struggled. However, getting out to straight balls off the spinner on a green top shows the fragility of Sri Lanka’s lineup. Much rests again on Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Perera to keep Pakistan’s attack at bay early, but what do Sri Lanka do about their middle order? With a short turnaround to this game, as well as thin batting resources, backing the likes of Angelo Mathews and Kusal Mendis to overcome their struggles is key. Can Sri Lanka put together a complete batting display – the kind that has been so rare for them over the last two-and-a-half years? If it’s another poor batting display, then another loss awaits.

Also, Sri Lanka surely won’t keep Nuwan Pradeep out of their team anytime soon. They raised eyebrows when they kept him out of the team against New Zealand, given his ability to find movement. His second straight man of the match display, after his effort against Scotland last month, makes Pradeep a crucial bowler for the Lankans. The battle between he and Lasith Malinga against Pakistan’s top order could very well dictate the game. Then, importantly, can the likes of Suranga Lakmal, Thisara Perera and the spinners follow up well?

Pitch and conditions

The weather forecast doesn’t look promising at all for this match in Bristol. Rain is expected for most of the day. If there is a result, it will be a shortened game on a pretty good batting pitch.

Possible Playing 11

Pakistan won against England and could look to go with the same team.

Pakistan: 1. Imam-ul-Haq, 2. Fakhar Zaman, 3. Babar Azam, 4. Mohammad Hafeez, 5. Sarfaraz Ahmed (c & wk), 6. Shoaib Malik, 7. Asif Ali, 8. Shadab Khan, 9. Hasan Ali, 10. Mohammad Amir, 11. Wahab Riaz

Sri Lanka’s team is less predictable, especially in the batting department. Dhananjaya de Silva, along with Kusal Mendis and Angelo Mathews, are in need for runs. Will Avishka Fernando get a look in?

Sri Lanka: 1. Dimuth Karunaratne (c), 2. Kusal Perera (wk), 3. Lahiru Thirimanne, 4. Kusal Mendis, 5. Angelo Mathews, 6. Dhananjaya de Silva, 7. Thisara Perera, 8. Isuru Udana/Jeevan Mendis, 9. Suranga Lakmal, 10. Nuwan Pradeep, 11. Lasith Malinga

Dream11 Prediction

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With plenty of rain expected, top order batsmen is the way to go, in case there is a shortened match.

Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head in World Cups: Matches 7, Pakistan 6, Sri Lanka 1.
• Pakistan thrashed Sri Lanka 5-0 soon after the Champions Trophy in 2017. These matches were the last ODI meeting between these two sides.
• Sri Lanka have won just 13 of their last 55 completed ODIs.
• Pakistan’s win against England was just their fourth win in their last 26 completed ODIs against top eight opposition.

Match Prediction

Significant downpours are expected in this clash.

If there is enough time for a game here, it brings the sides closer as anything is possible in shortened games. However, Pakistan will look to build on their confidence-boosting win vs England. If there is a result, I think Pakistan, considering the capabilities in T20 cricket, will win.

Also, be sure check out my series of “five key talking points” from every CWC 2019 match! The latest:

India v South Africa: India start with a win + why I say sorry to SA fans!

Afghanistan v Sri Lanka: SL escape in missed opportunity for Afghanistan

England v Pakistan: From embarrassment to ecstasy for Pakistan!

Download: Making cricket an interactive experience! Discover Harrison Cricket Apps ODI version.

Thanks for reading!