Cricket: 5th ODI – Pakistan v Sri Lanka Odds and Betting Preview

Story by George Coombs on 2011-11-22 18:01:33

ABU DHABI, UAE - Pakistan wrapped up the series in emphatic style at Sharjah on Sunday and will look to inflict further pain on a dismal Sri Lankan side.  Pakistan recently won the test series between this pair and they can finish 4-1 winners of the ODI series with another dominant performance at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium on Wednesday.

Pakistan are the 4/5 favourites with BetVictor and Stan James to win their tenth game at their adopted home in Abu Dhabi whilst Sri Lanka are priced up at 6/5 with Ladbrokes to try and resort some of their pride.

Pakistan have not played to their full potential in this series but have shown a fighting spirit that has united the team and brought the best out of many individuals. Their former skipper, Shahid Afridi, was the stand-out performer at Sharjah in the fourth ODI. The stadium has a well documented history of links to many match-fixing scandals but time all the focus was on the Pakistani genius. He kept his side in the game with an impressive 75 runs and then overcame his knee injury to produce a magical spell with ball in hand that ripped through the Sri Lankan middle-order. Abdul Razzaq has returned home with a shoulder injury and so will miss the game and Umar Gul might be rested now the series is in the bag which should give the quick left arm seamer Junaid Khan the chance to show the selectors he deserves a regular place.  

Sri Lanka have batted abysmally for a side that contested the World Cup final earlier this year. Since that loss to India they have gone on to lose ODI series against England, Australia and have now been hammer by Pakistan.  Their top order’s batting averages have all slumped and captain Tillakaratne Dilshan has been one of the worst. Dilshan, previously one of the most destructive batsmen in world cricket, has failed to hit a six in the 15 ODI in which he has led the side. The only man who has not disappointed is Mahela Jayawardene who was instrumental in helping his side to their only win in this five match series to date. He is ruled out of the clash with a knee injury and his teammates will need to step up otherwise they will be embarrassed by a Pakistan team hitting form.

Mohammad Hafeez heads the Top Pakistan Batsman market at a general 7/2 and the opener has been in good touch recently after a slow start to this ODI series. Younis Khan is 4/1 with bet365 whilst their other opener Imran Farhat is a 9/2 shot with the same firm. The star of the last game, Shahid Afridi is 10/1 with most firms to top his side’s run-scoring charts which looks generous on the lower-order batsman whose confidence is sky-high.

Sri Lanka have an impressive batting line-up that has failed to deliver so far and Kumar Sangakkara is the 7/2 market-leader with Ladbrokes in the Top Sri Lankan Batsman betting.  Tillakaratne Dilshan is in need of a big innings to silence those doubting his ability to both lead the side and keep his form with the bat and can be found at 4/1 with bet365. Upul Tharanga is a standout 9/2 with Stan James and the opening batsman will look to his 77 run innings in the second ODI for inspiration.

Play begins at 15.00 local time (11.00 GMT) on Wednesday 23rd November.

Pakistan v Sri Lanka – Match Result Odds