World Cup 2019: Key players for Pakistan vs Sri Lanka encounter

By
Arijah Siddiqui

June 07, 2019

Pakistan and Sri Lanka come into this match having won one of their two World Cup games. Photo: File

Pakistan take on Sri Lanka at the Bristol County Ground today. 

Both teams come into this match having won one of their two games. 

The match is scheduled to begin at 2:30pm (PST) and 10:30am (local time).

Following are the key players for the Pakistan, Sri Lanka encounter in Bristol today: 

Babar Azam (Pakistan)

Babar Azam scored a half-century in Pakistan vs England ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 Match. Photo: AFP

Top-ranked T20I batsman, Babar Azam is one of the most essential assets for the Pakistan cricket team. 

A stunning ODI average of more than 51 and a decent strike rate of 92+, Azam has scored more than ten centuries and twelve fifties against death bowling line ups.

He recent score of 63 against England, contributed to Pakistan winning the match against World Cup hosts and favourites England. 

Mohammad Hafeez (Pakistan)

Hafeez's 84 helped Pakistan to reach a total of  348 against the host team. Photo: AFP.

Known as the professor, Mohammad Hafeez scored a brilliant 84 runs off 62 balls against England in the last match. An important player, Hafeez has always played a vital role in the Pakistan team with not only his batting but also with his bowling. 

With an all-around performance for the green shirts during his career, Hafeez has scored 38 fifties and 11 centuries and scored a total of 6461 runs in his 212 ODI matches.  

He has also taken 138 wickets in 171 innings with an economy of 4.15.

Wahab Riaz (Pakistan)

Pakistani fast bowler Wahab Riaz helped Pakistan win against England by picking up three wickets in the match. Photo: AFP

Wahab Riaz who initially not part of the original World Cup squad, announced his presence during the game against England. 

Taking three important wickets, Riaz is proving to be a right call up to the Pakistan squad. 

Having taken 102 wickets in 79 ODI matches with an economy of 5.68 and a best bowling figure of 5-46, Riaz's pace is expected to haunt the batting line of his opponents.

Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka)

Lasith Malinga was able to take 3 wickets against Afghanistan, leading his team to their first victory of the tournament. Photo: AFP
 

Despite a less than stellar performance by the Sri Lankan team in the first innings, Lasith Malinga was able to take three wickets against Afghanistan in the Islanders last match, leading his team to their first victory of the tournament.

A lethal bowler with 322 wickets in 218 ODIs and a bowling best of 6-38, Malinga will be looking to make his mark this World Cup.

Dimuth Karunaratne (Sri Lanka)

Sri Lankan captain Dimuth Karunaratne while playing a shot against Afghanistan. Photo: AFP

While the Sri Lankan team might still be finding its form, skipper Dimuth Karunaratne seems to be in a consistent form. 

A short ODI career of 20 matches (16 innings) till date, Karunaratne has scored 349 runs including three fifties. 

Karunaratne remained 52* against New Zealand and scored 30 against Afghanistan, continuing his good form. 

He will be looking to continue his form when Sri Lanka neet Pakistan at Bristol today.