Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 3rd T20I Preview Dream11. PAK vs SL 3rd T20I Preview Dream11 Prediction. Pitch Report Possible Playing 11
Who saw this coming?
Pakistan, the number one T20I team, has lost a series to a team that has to qualify to play in the main stage of next year’s World T20. With a number of their key players missing. That too at home. Pakistan may have used this series as a chance to experiment, but why not give up-and-coming talent a chance rather than perennial disappointments Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal? Indeed, the pressure is on Sarfaraz Ahmed and the coaching staff.
Anyway, that’s a conversation for another time, as no credit should be taken away from Sri Lanka. The emergence of new talent has been a huge win for the Lions on their tour of Pakistan, with numerous players having surely booked their seat on the plane to Australia. Can Sri Lanka put in one more fine display and leave Pakistan with a superb 3-0 sweep?
Key to a Pakistan win
Plenty has been made of Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal, but the shortcomings of Babar Azam this series have also been costly. He is usually the rock of a Pakistan’s T20I innings, and a key reason why they have enjoyed a good record over the past two years. Today, both he and Fakhar Zaman need to provide a start that Pakistan’s flailing middle order can build on. Imad Wasim, with his batting capabilities, should be propelling Pakistan further, rather than saving them from total embarrassment.
Also, it has been an underwhelming series for Mohammad Amir. One of Pakistan’s stars at the recent World Cup has been short of pace and threat, and has been picked off with ease this series. If picked, Amir will be tasked with picking up powerplay wickets to push Sri Lanka back, with then an equal mix of pace and spin to keep the pressure on. So, should Pakistan give Shadab Khan this game off?
Also read: Are you a batsman looking for a high-quality, affordable bat? Top 3 Savage Cricket bats
Key to a Sri Lanka
This series has truly been a breath of fresh air for Sri Lanka. Dinushka Gunathilaka has been in fine touch, but the form of Bhanuka Rajapaksa, in just his second T20I, is something all of Sri Lanka will hope to see again. With Shehan Jayasuriya and Dasun Shanaka also in fine touch this tour, Sri Lanka can look forward to another strong batting display.
Also, how good has Nuwan Pradeep been? Ahead of the first T20I, a key for the Lankans was how Pradeep would go, given how good he can be on his day. His 4/25 in the second match was good enough to win man of the match most days, and if he can produce wonderful line and lengths again, Pakistan could be in for another tough day. When you add Isuru Udana’s wicket-taking abilities, the rest of the attack lifts.
Possible Playing 11
Ahmed Shehzad, Umar Akmal and Shadab Khan are the three most likely to face the drop for Pakistan. Haris Sohail, Iftikhar Ahmed and Mohammad Nawaz could get a run in this one.
Pakistan: 1. Fakhar Zaman, 2. Babar Azam, 3. Haris Sohail, 4 Sarfraz Ahmed (c & wk), 5. Iftikhar Ahmed, 6. Asif Ali, 7. Imad Wasim, 8. Shadab Khan/Mohammad Nawaz, 9. Wahab Riaz, 10. Mohammad Amir, 11. Mohammad Hasnain
Sri Lanka could look at experimentation, but their XI is on song right now.
Sri Lanka: 1. Danushka Gunathilaka, 2. Avishka Fernando, 3. Bhanuka Rajapaksa, 4. Shehan Jayasuriya, 5. Minod Bhanuka (wk), 6. Dasun Shanaka (c), 7. Wanindu Hasaranga, 8. Isuru Udana, 9. Lakshan Sandakan, 10. Kasun Rajitha, 11. Nuwan Pradeep
Pitch and Conditions
Good batting conditions are expected again, which shows how poor Pakistan’s batting has been. Also, dew is expected to have little impact.
Stats and Facts
- Pakistan have lost five of six T20Is in 2019. Sri Lanka have won their past three T20Is.
- In the first T20I, Pakistan lost their last seven wickets for 33 runs. In the second match, they lost 5/20 to end the match.
- Sri Lanka have never won a T20I series 3-0. Incredibly, seven of their XI had less than 10 matches of experience before this series.
- Babar Azam vs Sri Lanka in T20Is: 5 matches, 52 runs, average 13.00.
- Nuwan Pradeep and Isuru Udana have taken a combined 12 wickets in two matches.
Dream11 Prediction
Also read: MyTeam11 vs Dream11: Which is better for you?
Option 1:
Option 2:
Match Prediction
Again, if Pakistan persist with Umar Akmal and Ahmed Shehzad, Sri Lanka will win. However, if Pakistan make the right selections, they can be backed to pick up a consolation win.
Thanks for reading!
