Sri Lanka hold the edge
Just one match in the World Twenty20 on Monday but it's a good one as Pakistan, who are doing a good job despite some of their top stars, meet Sri Lanka, one of the in-form sides of the competition
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Just one match in the World Twenty20 on Monday but it's a good one as Pakistan, who are doing a good job despite some of their top stars, meet Sri Lanka, one of the in-form sides of the competition.
Click here to bet on Pakistan v Sri Lanka at bet365
As third favourites for overall victory and having performed well in the tournament to date, Sri Lanka are given the edge by bet365, who make them 8/15 (1.53), while Pakistan are 11/8 (2.37) for victory.
On paper, Sri Lanka have the edge, not least because of the presence of the likes of Sanath Jayasuriya who seems about as suited to this format as anyone could be.
Sri Lanka are well capable of smashing their way to a score of well over 200 (they have already managed 260 once) and they should beat Pakistan, but this one could be a mental affair as Pakistan have won eight of their previous ten one-dayers with Sri Lanka.
Ok, so I know this is a Twenty20 game, which is very different, but Pakistan will be hoping that those wins got them inside the heads of Sri Lanka when Monday's match comes around.
Salman Butt and Imran Nazir are joint favourites at 7/2 to be Pakistan's top runscorer, while Mohammad Hafeez is next at 4/1. Younis Khan and Shahid Afridi are both 9/2, while Shoaib Malik and Kamran Akmal are both 11/2.
Jayasuriya is the strong favourite to be Sri Lanka's top runscorer, at 11/4, with Mahela Jayawardene is next at 7/2. Kumar Sangakkara and Upul Tharanga are both 4/1, while Chamara Silva is a 6/1 chance.
For me, this is one to watch as I really can see either side winning out, but if I had to have a bet I'd go for Sri Lanka, with Sangakkara due a big score.
Please note that odds are correct at time of publication and are subject to change.
Simon Cambers is Cricinfo's betting correspondent
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