Pakistan must feel like it’s Groundhog Day after the repetitive nature of the first three matches in the in the five-match One-Day International series. On three occasions Pakistan have dominated their opponents, restricting their opponents with disciplined bowling, and anchoring their batting efforts around a centurion. Sri Lanka, by contrast, will wonder what they must do differently, having been so successful in the Test arena, only to squander that momentum in the 50-over matches. Without a win since July, the tourists will be on a mission to save face and avoid a second straight whitewash in a five-match series, having suffered that fate against India in August.
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As we look at the fourth match of the ODI series in more detail, our betting tips suggest Pakistan will continue their dominance in the series and make it four straight wins. Pakistan have been in a rich vein of form in coloured clothes in the last year or so, winning the Champion’s Trophy and sealing another series win, heading towards the 2019 World Cup in England. Sri Lanka have still never won an ODI series in the UAE but have not gone winless in a series against Pakistan since 2006, and have only gone winless four times in 18 series against their hosts.
Pakistan have been in complete control of the series from the start and are showing no signs of relenting in game four. Babar Azam’s two centuries and a three-figure effort from Imam-ul-Haq have helped Pakistan control their opponents throughout, while the bowling attack have backed their batsmen up no end. With around 18 months until the World Cup, Pakistan will be looking to continue their push up the ICC rankings as they head into the competition as defending Champion’s Trophy winners. Sri Lanka meanwhile have two matches to save some respectability as they too look at boosting their rankings ahead of a crucial World Cup. Sri Lanka were awful in this year’s Champion’s Trophy and will want to make amends at the next major tournament.
Pakistan have had a clear game plan in the three previous games, as they look to have a batsman at the top of the order anchor the innings. A century in each innings has helped Pakistan dominate Sri Lanka and take the series victory. They will look to continue that run and complete a first series whitewash over Sri Lanka for over a decade. Babar Azam has been prolific in his brief but impressive international career and will be hopeful of continuing that fine run in the last two matches. Two hundred in three matches and the fastest to seven international ODI hundreds, Azam is going to be a mainstay in the national team for plenty of years to come. Sri Lanka are without their talismanic all-rounder Angelo Mathews which will undoubtedly hurt the tourists’ chances.