Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka Prediction: Both the teams are relying on their bowlers to get them a win

Pakistan will be facing off against Sri Lanka in the 4th game of the Super Fours in the Asia Cup at R. Premadasa Stadium, Columbo. It's a virtual semi-final with the winning team going into the finals. Both the teams are relying on their bowlers to get them a win. Who will win this game?

Pakistan form

Pakistan has displayed clinical performances in this tournament; however, their significant loss to arch-rivals India may have instilled some anxiety as they strive to secure a spot in the finals.

The batting performance by the Pakistani team was lacklustre, managing just 128 runs on a pitch where India posted a massive 356. The opening pair has been particularly disappointing, with Fakhar Zaman averaging just over 20 runs in this tournament, and Imam Ul-Haq struggling to find form aside from a half-century against Bangladesh. There is speculation that Fakhar Zaman might be dropped for the upcoming match.

If this change occurs, Saud Shakeel could potentially step into the middle order, with Mohammad Rizwan shifting to the opening slot.

The inconsistency in batting extends to the middle order, with Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Iftikhar Ahmed failing to deliver consistent performances. Pakistan's pace attack, on the other hand, has been a standout feature, with all three seamers, namely Haris Rauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Naseem Shah, performing admirably. While they conceded runs against India, a strong comeback is anticipated.

Injuries may necessitate one or even two changes to Pakistan's lineup, with Mohammad Wasim Jr. and Shahnawaz Dahani possibly making appearances in the match.

The spin department appears to be somewhat lacking, with Shadab Khan being the sole full-time spinner on the team. Given the pitch conditions in the previous match, there is a possibility of including Mohammad Nawaz or Usama Mir to strengthen this aspect of the bowling unit.

Pakistan Predicted Lineup

Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam (C), Imam-ul-Haq, Agha Salman, Shadab Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah

Sri Lanka form

Sri Lanka's remarkable 13-match winning streak came to an end on Tuesday with a 41-run loss to India. They currently occupy the second position on the points table, holding an advantage over Pakistan in terms of Net Run Rate (NRR). However, this advantage could prove inconsequential because a loss in the upcoming match would result in their elimination.

The last match provided the home team with valuable lessons. If Sri Lanka aims to return to their winning ways, they must focus on improving their batting performance. The inconsistent form of Pathum Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne has posed challenges for Sri Lanka in this tournament.

Out of the four matches played so far, they have managed only one partnership exceeding 50 runs. This lack of substantial partnerships places immense pressure on the middle order and can lead to collapses, as witnessed against India. Sadeera Samarawickrama and Kusal Mendis have emerged as the top performers with the bat and will once again play pivotal roles during the middle overs.

While Dhananjaya de Silva found some form in the last match, the struggles of Dasun Shanaka remain a concern. Shifting to the bowling department, the spinners were exceptional in the previous match, accounting for all 10 wickets against India.

If the pitch conditions resemble those of the India match, Sri Lanka stands a genuine chance of defeating Pakistan. During the middle overs, Dunith Wellalage and Charith Asalanka have been particularly effective. Kasun Rajitha and Matheesha Pathirana will spearhead the pace attack, although Sri Lanka's pace bowling unit appears relatively weak and could potentially be their Achilles' heel.

Sri Lanka Lineup

Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana

Expert betting tips

Once more, the recent match highlighted that batting at the R. Premadasa Stadium can be quite challenging. The pitch, with minimal grass cover, exhibited a significant turn, leading to 16 out of 20 wickets falling to spinners. As the match advances, the pitch is anticipated to slow down, making batting even more arduous. A target of approximately 240 runs is considered par on this surface. Regarding the weather, conditions are expected to be warm and humid, with potential interruptions due to rain. Both teams have displayed strong performances in the group stages, and with a final spot on the line, we anticipate a heated contest. Given that the batting performance for both teams has been rather ordinary, much will depend on the bowlers to make the difference. While Pakistan boasts a formidable pace attack, the absence of Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf in this match could potentially give the home team an advantage.