There is more at stake for Sri Lanka than Pakistan when they meet in the fifth match of the ODI Tri-Series at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday.
The Men in Green have won all three of their matches in the competition, including a 37-run victory over Sri Lanka in their opening fixture and two successes against England.
Shaheen Shah Afridi's men have combined powerful batting with disciplined bowling and currently look the most balanced side in the tournament.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka arrive in Lahore with their confidence boosted by one of the greatest ODI run chases of all-time, hunting down 430 against England in Rawalpindi last Thursday.
Although their bowlers went around the park, several key players found form with the bat and made significant contributions.
However, Pakistan have enjoyed the better of this rivalry in recent years, winning each of the last four ODI meetings between the sides.
With Lahore once again expected to provide excellent batting conditions, another high-scoring encounter could be on the cards.
Pakistan v Sri Lanka Tips Summary
Best Bet - Pakistan -5.5 wkts/-29.5 runs @ 4/5
Alternative Bet - Babar Azam top Pakistan batter @ 3/1
Bet Builder - Babar Azam 30+ runs, Kusal Mendis 30+ runs & Razaullah 2+ wickets @ 5/1
Pakistan v Sri Lanka Prediction
Best Bet: Pakistan -5.5 wkts/-29.5 runs @ 4/5
Pakistan deserve to go into this as solid favourites given the consistency they have displayed throughout the tournament.
The hosts have won all three of their matches and already hold a victory over Sri Lanka in this competition after successfully defending a score in excess of 300 at Rawalpindi in Game 1.
Their batting line-up has been able to construct strong totals from difficult positions, both when chasing down targets and setting them.
The bowling attack has been equally impressive with Arafat Minhas leading the wicket-taking charts with eight dismissals in the tournament.
Captain Afridi has claimed seven wickets and continues to be a threat both with the new ball and at the death.
Sri Lanka's stunning chase against England demonstrated their quality, but the outcome masked ongoing concerns about their bowling attack after they went for 429 runs in that contest.
Having won their last four ODIs against Sri Lanka and all three matches in this Tri-Series, the hosts are difficult to oppose.
And they should be able to cover the handicap of either 5.5 wickets or 29.5 runs. They beat Sri Lanka by 37 runs in Rawalpindi last week and have won their last two ODIs in Lahore.
Alternative Bet: Babar Azam top Pakistan batter @ 3/1
Babar Azam looks like a good candidate to top-score for the hosts on a ground where he has enjoyed considerable success.
The former captain averages 59.83 at Gaddafi Stadium and has built a reputation for producing his best cricket in Lahore.
While others have grabbed the headlines during this tournament, Babar remains the cornerstone of Pakistan's batting unit and is overdue a big innings.
The right-hander thrives in high-scoring conditions and his ability to rotate strike before accelerating can help him exploit a Sri Lankan attack that has lacked consistency.
Pakistan v Sri Lanka Bet Builder Tip
Babar Azam 30+ runs
Kusal Mendis 30+ runs
Razaullah 2+ wickets
Pays 5/1
Babar's excellent record at Lahore makes him a strong selection to make at least 30 runs.
Kusal Mendis is Sri Lanka's most experienced top-order batter and could be the key to another competitive total. If the tourists bat first, he looks particularly well placed to convert a start into 30+ runs too.
Add Razaullah to take two or more wickets to this Bet Builder. He shone on his ODI debut against England on Sunday, claiming 2-38 from only eight overs.
Key Match Stats
Pakistan have won all three of their matches in the ODI Tri-Series
Pakistan have beaten Sri Lanka in each of the last four ODI meetings
Sri Lanka successfully chased 430 against England in their previous match
Babar Azam averages 59.83 at Gaddafi Stadium
Razaullah took four wickets on his Test debut and claimed 2-38 on his ODI debut
Sahibzada Farhan scored 238 in three T20I innings against Sri Lanka earlier this month
Tactics, Form and Team News
Pakistan have never been shy about making a change or two and their approach hasn't changed, despite three straight wins in this tournament.
Saim Ayub has been dropped after scoring just 21 runs across three innings and failing to get into double figures.
Pakistan T20I captain Sahibzada Farhan has been drafted into the squad and, after scoring 238 runs in three short-format innings against Sri Lanka recently, could get a chance to make an impact in the 50–over side.
Predicted Pakistan XI: Fakhar Zaman, Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Saad Baig (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Hasan Nawaz, Arafat Minhas, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), Razaullah, Haris Rauf.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka have little reason to change a side that completed that record-breaking chase against England.
Predicted Sri Lanka XI: Kamindu Mendis, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (c & wk), Pavan Rathnayake, Dasun Shanaka, Janith Liyanage, Sahan Arachchige, Dunith Wellalage, Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka.
Read more cricket betting tips and predictions on site.
This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
