Sri Lanka's challenge to bowl well and level series at Colombo  

Betting Odds 

Our Predictions 

• Dimuth Karunaratne has odds of 4.75 to be Sri Lanka's best batsman.  
• Babar Azam has odds of 3.74 to be the best batsman for Pakistan in this Test Match.  
• Prabath Jayasuriya has odds of 2.99 to be the best bowler for Sri Lanka  
• Shaheen Afridi has odds of 3.37 to be Pakistan's best bowler in the game  

MATCH PREVIEW     

Sri Lanka come into this game with the challenge to level the series. They went down by 4 wickets in the 1st Test Match against Pakistan. The hosts had their chances in the last game but failed to grab their opportunities. The inability of the bowlers to break partnerships in the Pakistani middle order cost them the game. The Pakistanis also had issues with key players failing in the last game. They can't be complacent and must aim for a better performance here. As Sri Lankans put in their best efforts, we expect it to be a close contest.  

Sri Lanka Preview      

Dimuth Karunaratne and his men have their backs against the wall. At the start of the series, the betting tips favored them as the side had the home advantage and a quality spin attack. But they failed to take advantage of it and lost key sessions during the game. Their record at home has been decent, even as the side has struggled abroad. They have a mixed record at this venue. Karunaratne would like a better show from his players, as Pakistanis are clearly on top of them.  

Nishan Madushka and Dimuth Karunara got starts in the last game, but the side would need one of them to play a big knock. It has been a problem area for the side in the last couple of years. Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, and Dinesh Chandimal are the most experienced players on the side and have a crucial role here. Dhananjaya de Silva was brilliant in the last game, and he must add runs in the lower middle order with Sadeera Samarawickrama and Ramesh Mendis.  

The bowling attack failed to capitalize on the opportunities after having Pakistanis on the dock in the first innings. Vishwa Fernando and Kasun Rajitha must use the new ball well, as the Pakistani openers looked rusty in the last game. Prabath Jayasuriya and Mendis troubled the batters and shared 13 wickets between them. The side will have big expectations from them. Dhananjaya de Silva must deliver in the supporting role.   

Expected Starting XI for Sri Lanka     

Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dinesh Chandimal, Sadeera Samarawickrama (wk), Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha 

Pakistan Preview     

Babar Azam would smell an opportunity to win a Test series abroad after a long time. Barring series wins in Zimbabwe and Bangladesh; the side hasn't won away from home. Though the side won the last game, they had their trouble with the top order not delivering the goods. The conditions at Colombo would suit the Lankans, and Azam would like his side to approach this game clinically and win the series.  

Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq struggled against the new ball in the last game, and the side will need a better performance from the pair. Babar Azam also didn't have a great outing, and he must build partnerships with Shan Masood and Saud Shakeel in the middle order. Shakeel will be confident after his match-winning 208 in the last game. Agha Salman, Noman Ali, and Sarfaraz Ahmed add depth to this line-up.  

Shaheen Afridi bowled well in the last game, and he will look to put the Lankans under pressure, sharing the new ball with Naseem Shah. Abrar Ahmed and Agha Khan must use the conditions well as it would suit them. Nauman Ali needs to do well in the supporting role for the side to win this game.  

Expected Starting XI for Pakistan     

Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Saud Shakeel, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Agha Salman, Nauman Ali, Abrar Ahmed, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah 

TOSS: To Bat First      

The pitch can turn into a minefield on the last two days of the game, where the ball takes a sharp turn. Apart from the first session of Day 1, batsmen find it easy to bat on. The skipper winning the toss will choose to bat first in this game.    

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS      

We expect rain interruptions during the game at Colombo as there is a forecast for rain on all days. The wicket is expected to offer good rewards for the fast bowlers on Day 1 and shall become easy to bat on Days 2 and 3. The last two days are likely to be dominated by the spinners. The side batting first will like to have 400 runs on the board.  

OUR PREDICTION      

Sri Lanka must bounce back and play to their strengths. The wicket is known for being spin friendly, and their spinners must take the lead and do well in this game. Pakistan has a strong batting line-up, and the presence of all-rounders adds to the team's strengths. Based on the performance of both teams in the last game, the Pakistanis have the edge, according to cricket betting sites.    

Our Prediction is for Pakistan to win