Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 1st T20I Predictions - Ton-heavy Fakhar Zaman to secure Pakistan the win

Simon Lewis

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Last updated: 16 minutes ago

Simon Lewis 16 minutes ago

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Pakistan have three wins from their last four T20Is.
Sri Lanka have lost their last four T20Is in a row.
Rawalpindi’s pitch benefits sides bowling first as chasing has proven more lucrative, with 10 of the last 16 T20Is being won by the chasing side.

Fakhar Zaman has scored 3 tons in his last 6 innings (Getty Images).

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Predictions

Pakistan have dominated Sri Lanka in recent months and they have a big-scoring top-order. Sri Lanka have plenty of talent and ability but often fall short through a lack of consistency in their top order.

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Predictions
Head-to-Head
Pakistan Form
Sri Lanka Form
Team News

Pakistan’s Fakhar Zaman has scored 123, 115, 31, 128 & 77 in his last 6 knocks.
Pakistan’s Hasan Nawaz has scores of 47*, 27* & 96 in his last 3 innings.
Pakistan’s Sufyan Moqim has taken 13 wickets in his last 5 innings.
Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis has scored 42, 121 & 35 in his last 3 matches.
Sri Lanka’s Kamindu Mendis has scores of 35 & 54 in his last 4 innings.
Sri Lanka’s Maheesh Theekshana has taken 84 wickets in 87 T20Is.

Head-to-Head

Pakistan have won three and lost one of their last five T20Is against Sri Lanka, with one match abandoned.

Pakistan Form

Pakistan return from a strong Asian Games campaign after reaching the gold-medal match and finishing with silver following their defeat to India in the final. Sahibzada Farhan will again captain a side that showed plenty of promise during the tournament.

Farhan remains Pakistan’s key batting option after scoring 394 runs in his last nine matches at an average of 56.29. Saim Ayub adds another attacking threat after scoring 176 runs across nine innings at a strike rate of 145.00.

Abrar Ahmed could be especially important with the ball in home conditions after taking eight wickets in his last seven games. Naseem Shah strengthens the pace attack and brings valuable experience after picking up 32 T20I wickets to date in his career.

Sri Lanka Form

Sri Lanka arrive after a solid Asian Games campaign in which they missed out on the gold-medal match following defeat to India in the semi-final. They bounced back to beat Bangladesh and secure the bronze medal. The experienced Kusal Mendis will lead the side and his runs could prove crucial in this series.

Dasun Shanaka is one of Sri Lanka’s main batting threats having scored 215 runs in his last eight matches at an average of 30.71. Kamindu Mendis has also shown consistency in contributing 178 runs across his last eight innings.

The bowling attack has plenty of experience. Dushmantha Chameera has taken 99 wickets in 82 T20Is while Maheesh Theekshana remains their key spin option with 84 wickets from 87 T20Is. Both players will be central to Sri Lanka’s chances against a strong Pakistan top order.

Team News

Rawalpindi generally favours batting with good pace and bounce, although bowlers can improve after the powerplay. Spinners should also play a role, with first-innings scores averaging around 164.

Pakistan (possible XI): Sahibzada Farhan (c), Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay, Hasan Nawaz, Saim Ayub, Abdul Samad, Shadab Khan, Arafat Minhas, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed, Sufyan Moqim

Sri Lanka (possible XI): Kusal Mendis (c), Kamil Mishara, Sineth Jayawardena, Sahan Arachchige, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Eshan Malinga, Dunith Wellalage, Binura Fernando.

Verdict

Pakistan v Sri Lanka 1st T20

Pakistan are the strong favourites for the win thanks to an in-form Fakhar Zaman at the top of the order, with Sufyan Moqim, Kusal Mendis and Maheesh Theekshana also backed to perform with bat and ball.

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