Cricket: 3rd Test Match - Pakistan v Sri Lanka

Story by Jack Howard on 2011-11-02 16:58:11

SHARJAH, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – Pakistan face Sri Lanka in the final game of their three match test-series starting in Sharjah on Thursday. The Pakistan cricket team are most prominently present in the public consciousness at present due to the ongoing trial of Salman Butt, Mohammed Asif and Mohammed Amir – three Pakistani players who were found guilty of spot-fixing during their tour of England in 2010. Whilst these three await their sentences at Southwark Crown Court, however, the rest of the Pakistani side will seek to avert attention away from scandal towards success. Pakistan are currently 1-0 up in their test-series against Sri Lanka, and will be desperate to wrap up the series in style with an emphatic win at the Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium .

Pakistan are currently favourites to win, and can be backed to do so at best odds of 11/5 (bet £5 to make £11 profit) with Skybet. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, are available at 3/1 with BetVictor, whilst those punters who think that the game will end in a draw can back that result at best odds of 11/10 with William Hill.

Pakistan secured an emphatic nine wicket victory in the second game of the series in Dubai, giving them a crucial 1-0 lead going in to their final fixture. Mohsin Khan’s side outplayed Sri Lanka in all areas of the game, bowling them out twice for scores under 300 and amassing 497 runs in the game themselves for the loss of only eleven wickets. If Pakistan are to win again in their upcoming match, however, then they must produce a similarly complete cricketing performance.

Pakistani opener Mohammed Hafeez made a swift 59 not out from 64 balls in Pakistan’s second innings in Dubai, chasing down Sri Lanka’s total with masterful ease. Hafeez is unsurprisingly joint-favourite to top score for his side in their upcoming game, and can be backed to do so at best odds of 4/1 with Stan James. Hafeez’s team mate Younis Khan is undeniably Pakistan’s most experienced batsman, averaging 50.93 in 70 test matches. Khan is available to top score at an identical 4/1 with Boylesports, whilst number three Azhar Ali is on offer at a slightly longer 5/1 with BetVictor.

Since the retirement of spin-bowling legend Muttiah Muralitharan Sri Lanka have been relatively impotent with the ball – lacking both penetration and variation – yet their batting has remained formidable. In the last game, however, Sri Lanka underperformed drastically with the bat, and if they are to win in the final test-match their top batsmen must produce their best once again. Kumar Sangakkara, who averages a colossal 56.42 in test-cricket, is currently favourite to top score for his side at 10/3 with Blue Square, whilst Mahela Jayawardene is on offer at a slightly longer 4/1 with Coral. Sri Lankan opener Tharanga Paranavitana is available at 5/1 with bet365, whilst captain Tillakaratne Dilshan can be backed at 11/2 with Paddy Power, despite failing to post a substantial score in either of the last two games.

Mohsin Khan’s side will hope to give the world with a spectacle to do their country proud, drawing attention away from the scandal that has been casting ominous shadows over Pakistani cricket. The stage is set for a gripping encounter.

Play begins at 06.00 GMT

Pakistan v Sri Lanka Match Odds

Pakistan Top Batsman Odds

Sri Lanka Top Batsman Odds