SL vs PAK Dream11 Team Prediction: The hosts in Pakistan would be desperate to avoid a whitewash at the Gaddafi Stadium tonight.
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The third T20I of the ongoing Sri Lanka’s tour of Pakistan will be played tonight at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. In a surprising turn of events from the ODI series, Sri Lanka stand a chance to whitewash the hosts after winning the first two T20Is at the same venue.
More than their batting, it is Pakistan’s team selection has come under the scanner. The decision to bring back Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal hasn’t gone down well with the Pakistani fans as the duo has scored a combined total of 17 runs in four innings.
What has further not gone down well is the fact that Pakistan are currently the No. 1 ranked T20I side. Them getting beaten by a second string Sri Lankan side has exposed weaknesses across formats in their squads.
SL vs PAK Dream11 Team Prediction
Team News
Having registered an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series, Sri Lanka might be tempted to give a game to their reserves. On the other hand, Pakistan might drop both their much-discussed comeback men in Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal.
Probable Playing XI
Sri Lanka Squad
1) Danushka Gunathilaka 2) Avishka Fernando 3) Bhanuka Rajapaksa 4) Shehan Jayasuriya 5) Minod Bhanuka (wk) 6) Dasun Shanaka (c) 7) Wanidu Hasaranga 8) Isuru Udana 9) Lakshan Sandakan 10) Kasun Rajitha 11) Nuwan Pradeep
Pakistan Squad
1) Fakhar Zaman 2) Babar Azam 3) Ahmed Shehzad / Haris Sohail 4) Sarfaraz Ahmed (c & wk) 5) Iftikhar Ahmed 6) Asif Ali 7) Imad Wasim 8) Shadab Khan 9) Wahab Riaz 10) Mohammad Amir 11) Mohammad Hasnain
Top Four
Sri Lanka – Danushka Gunathilaka, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Shehan Jayasuriya
Pakistan – Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Ahmed Shehzad / Haris Sohail, Sarfaraz Ahmed
Big-hitters
Sri Lanka – Shehar Jayasuriya, Dasun Shanaka
Pakistan – Iftikhar Ahmed, Asif Ali, Imad Wasim
Death bowlers
Sri Lanka – Kasun Rajitha, Nuwan Pradeep
Pakistan – Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir
Pitch Conditions and Toss Prediction
In eight T20Is played in Lahore, an average score of 8.46 speaks highly of the surface favouring the batsmen. Sri Lanka posting scores of 165/5 and 182/6 in the first and second T20I respectively further highlights the same. Expect the wicket to behave in the same manner tonight.
Out of the eight matches, the team which has won the toss and elected to bat has won on five occasions. With the team batting first winning both the matches, the captain who wins the toss should elect to bat first.
Wicket-keepers for SL vs PAK Dream11
My only wicket-keeper batsman for this match is Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed. Expected to bat at No. 4, Sarfaraz will have enough time to set the innings for his team. As a result, including him should help your case.
Batsmen for SL vs PAK Dream11
Sri Lanka opening batsman Danushka Gunathilaka is my first pick in this category for today. Having missed out in the second match, the southpaw had scored a match-winning 57 (38) with the help of eight fours and a six in the first T20I.
In what is his debutant international series, Bhanuka Rajapaksa has scored 109 runs in two matches at an average of 54.50 and a strike rate of 155.71 including a supreme 77 (48) with the help of four fours and six sixes in the second T20I.
Currently the No. 1 ranked T20I batsman, Pakistan opening batsman Babar Azam is due for runs especially after scoring 13 (10) and 3 (10) in the first two matches. In the last one year, Azam has scored 521 runs at an average of 47.36 and a strike rate of 128.64 including five half-centuries.
All-rounders for SL vs PAK Dream11
My Dream11 fantasy team for this match is heavy on all-rounders. I have captain Dasun Shanaka and Wanidu Hasaranga in my team from the visiting side. Having played effective cameos in both the matches, Shanaka has it in him to earn points for you with his all-round skills.
If not as much with the bat, Wanidu Hasaranga has surely contributed with the ball in hand. Having picked five wickets in two matches, Hasaranga is vital to Sri Lanka’s chances for whitewashing Pakistan tonight.
Pakistan are likely to bring back Iftikhar Ahmed in place of Umar Akmal tonight. Include him in your team right away. If Pakistan don’t play Iftikhar, you are free to choose any Pakistani batsman of your choice. With two credits remaining with you, budget won’t be a constraint.
Among the hosts, also include all-rounder Imad Wasim for he is likely to yield positive results for you. The 30-year old cricketer had scored a praiseworthy 47 (29) with the help of eight fours in the second T20I.
Bowlers for SL vs PAK Dream11
I have picked three specialist fast bowlers for this match. The Sri Lankan pair of Nuwan Pradeep and Isuru Udana are on the top of my list alongside Pakistan fast bowler Wahab Riaz.
Having dismissed seven batsmen in two matches at an average of 6.57, an economy rate of 6.57 and a strike rate of 6, Pradeep has been the best bowler in the series so far. A position below Pradeep is Udana, who has picked five wickets at an average of 9.80, an economy rate of 7.35 and a strike rate of 8.
Dream 11 disclaimer
All our selections are based on in-depth and astute analysis of the players partaking in the match, their performances in recent time, how the two teams have fared in the cricketing fraternity over the course of the last year, pitch report and a perusal of other reasoning. Please incorporate a slew of factors while crafting your own side with this article serving as a guide to the match and players who are expected to dole out the maximum points.
