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Are you looking for Sri Lanka vs Pakistan prediction? Pakistan are scheduled to play two Tests on this tour of Sri Lanka as a part of the World Test Championship, starting from July 16. The two teams will lock horns in the first Test at Galle International Cricket Stadium. Pakistan head into the match as slight favourites with the odds of 8/5 (2.60). The hosts Sri Lanka have the odds of 9/5 (2.80).
These odds from Ladbrokes were correct at the time of writing.
- Sri Lanka vs Pakistan, 1st Test
- July 16-20, 2023 – 4 AM GMT
- Galle International Cricket Stadium, Galle
Pitch Report and Weather Conditions
Contents
Galle International Cricket Stadium is known for its spin-friendly nature. The pitches are slow and usually start turning from the first day itself. Batting gets harder as the match progresses. The average first and second innings score at the venue stands at 366 and 310, respectively.
The weather forecast doesn’t quite look good for the match, with a possibility of showers on all five days. The chance of precipitation increases for the last two days to 56% and 75%.
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan – Match Predictions
The last time these two teams played in Sri Lanka, the series was drawn 1-1. Sri Lanka have a decent side for home conditions although their batting unit remains vulnerable. Pakistan have a stronger batting line-up but the lack of quality spinners could cost them.
Prediction 1
Babar to be Pakistan's Top Run Scorer
13/5 (3.60)
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Odds from
Prediction 2
Jayasuriya to be India's Top Bowler
9/4 (3.25)
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Odds from
Top Run-scorer First Innings
Babar Azam scored 79 runs in the warm-up game and has a pretty good record in the longer format. Bet on Babar to be Pakistan’s top batter at 13/5 (3.60). Dimuth Karunaratne averages 41 in Test cricket with 16 centuries. He’s been in great form recently and you can back him to be the top batter for Sri Lanka at 13/4 (4.25).
Our Prediction: Babar Azam to be the top run-scorer for Pakistan in the first innings at 13/5 (3.60).
Top Wicket-taker First Innings
Prabath Jayasuriya had taken 17 wickets in two games against Pakistan in the previous series. You can back him to be Sri Lanka’s best bowler at 9/4 (3.25). Young leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed will be crucial for Pakistan on this tour. With the pitch assisting spin, you can back him at 9/4 (3.25) to be the top bowler for Pakistan.
Our Prediction: Prabath Jayasuriya to be the highest wicket-taker for Sri Lanka in first innings at 9/4 (3.25).
Man of the Match
The left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya has snared 50 wickets from just seven Tests at an average of 23.70 with six five-fors. Bet on Jayasuriya to be the player of the match at 12/1 (13.00). Among others, Dhananjaya de Silva, Babar Azam and Naseem Shah are top betting options.
Our Prediction: Prabath Jayasuriya to be the Man of the Match at 12/1 (13.00) odds.
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Preview
Sri Lanka and Pakistan would be hoping to get their new WTC cycle off to a winning start. Let’s take a look at two teams before the series kicks off on Sunday.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka were in the race for the WTC final until their final series but they lost against New Zealand. They then hammered Ireland by 2-0 at home in April, in a series that wasn’t part of the championship.
Sri Lanka have a few selection headaches. Nishan Madushka could be preferred over Pathum Nissanka to open alongside Dimuth Karunaratne. Dilshan Madushanka is also in line for a Test debut.
Squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrama (wk), Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka
Pakistan
Pakistan haven’t won a Test since the first game in Sri Lanka last year. They have lost four games and drawn two since then, and would be desperate to break that streak.
They will have Shaheen Shah Afridi back in the fold for Test cricket after recovering from knee injury. Pakistan have several selection questions and the combination is hard to predict.
Squad: Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Babar Azam (c), Saud Shakeel, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Mohammad Rizwan, Agha Salman, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Naseem Shah
How to Watch Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Test in the UK: Live Streaming & Channel List
The series between Sri Lanka and Pakistan will not be televised in the UK.
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