Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka: World Cup Match 11 Preview

Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka: World Cup Match 11 Preview

Pakistan and Sri Lanka will be ready to face off in the match 11 at the 2019 International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup in Bristol on Friday.

Both teams are going in the match after winning one and losing one out of the two matches played, therefore, they will be looking to produce a positive result and strengthen their position on the points table.

Pakistan are not likely to make any changes in the playing eleven as they've put an impressive performance in the 14-run win against England in their last outing. In the batting department, the Men in Green will be relying on the likes of in-form openers Fakhar Zaman, Imam Ul-Haq, right-hander Babar Azam and veteran all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez to score bulk of the runs, whereas on the bowling front, the onus will be on the likes of pacers Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, Hasan Ali and leg-spinner Shadab Khan to produce timely breakthroughs.

On the other hand, Sri Lanka will be also likely to field the same playing eleven after securing a much-needed win in their previous match against Afghanistan. In the batting department, the team will be relying on the likes captain Dimuth Karunaratne, wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Perera, experienced Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis and veteran all-rounder Angelo Mathews to score bulk of the runs, whereas on the bowling front, the onus will be on the likes of pace trio of Suraga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga and Nuwan Pradeep to provide timely breakthroughs.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka will be ready to face off in the match 11 at the 2019 International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup in Bristol on Friday.

Both teams are going in the match after winning one and losing one out of the two matches played, therefore, they will be looking to produce a positive result and strengthen their position on the points table.

Pakistan are not likely to make any changes in the playing eleven as they've put an impressive performance in the 14-run win against England in their last outing. In the batting department, the Men in Green will be relying on the likes of in-form openers Fakhar Zaman, Imam Ul-Haq, right-hander Babar Azam and veteran all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez to score bulk of the runs, whereas on the bowling front, the onus will be on the likes of pacers Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, Hasan Ali and leg-spinner Shadab Khan to produce timely breakthroughs.

On the other hand, Sri Lanka will be also likely to field the same playing eleven after securing a much-needed win in their previous match against Afghanistan. In the batting department, the team will be relying on the likes captain Dimuth Karunaratne, wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Perera, experienced Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis and veteran all-rounder Angelo Mathews to score bulk of the runs, whereas on the bowling front, the onus will be on the likes of pace trio of Suraga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga and Nuwan Pradeep to provide timely breakthroughs.

County Ground in Bristol will be used at the venue for the contest, which will be hosting its 19th ODI on Friday. Highest team score of 369-9 in a 50-over contest was registered by England in the match against West Indies in 2017, whereas lowest team total of 92 was registered by Zimbabwe in 2003.

The pitch is expected to be another good one for batting, however, bad weather is expected to affect the match as there are high chances of rain throughout the day.

Key players:

Batsman: Babar Azam (10.5 Cr)

Babar Azam is one of the best player in white-ball cricket. The 24-year-old has represented Pakistan in 66 ODIs, where he has scored 2,824 runs at an outstanding average of 51.34 and at a strike-rate of 85.96, which included nine centuries and 13 half-centuries.

Wicketkeeper: Kusal Perera (9 Cr)

Kusal Perera is one of the most explosive wicketkeeper-batsman in the world of cricket. The 28-year-old has represented Sri Lanka in 90 ODIs, where he has scored 2,390 runs at an average of 29.87 and with a strike-rate of 91.22, which included four centuries and 12 fifties.

All-rounder: Mohammad Hafeez (9 Cr)

Mohammad Hafeez is one of the most experienced player in the current Pakistan team. The 38-year-old has represented the Men in Green in 212 ODIs, where he has scored 6,461 runs at an average 33.13, which included 11 centuries and 38 fifties, whereas he also has 138 wickets to his name.

Bowler: Wahab Riaz (8.5 Cr)

Wahab Riaz is having a good time ever since he made a comeback to the national team. The veteran left-arm pacer was instrumental in Pakistan's success in the match against England where he has claimed three important wickets of Jonny Bairstow, Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes.

Pakistan:

Imam Ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Sarfraz Ahmed (captain, wicketkeeper), Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz

Sri Lanka:

Dimuth Karunaratne (captain), Kusal Perera (wicketkeeper), Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Isuru Udana, Suraga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Pradeep

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Azeem Siddiqui
Passionate sports follower in the field of sports journalism for more than five years. Loves writing about cricket, football, and tennis.
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