Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Prediction: Middle-order rock Agha can star for hosts

Pakistan's ODI series against Sri Lanka started with a thrilling contest in Rawalpindi, where the teams meet again in Thursday's second ODI (starts 09:30).

Sri Lanka made a bold bid to chase down a target of 300 in Tuesday's opening game before Pakistan closed out a six-run victory to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. The hosts beat South Africa 2-1 in this month's home ODI series and they are aiming to continue their 50-over resurgence on Thursday.

Match Odds

Pakistan are 4/7 to follow up Tuesday's six-run win with another victory over 11/8 shots Sri Lanka.

Paceman Haris Rauf played a decisive role in the first ODI, dismissing Sri Lanka's top four batsmen, and he is 14/5 to be Pakistan's top bowler. Naseem Shah is a 3/1 chance while captain Shaheen Shah Afridi is 14/5 and spinner Abrar Ahmed is 7/2.

Salman Agha to score over 29.5 runs @ 5/6
Rawalpindi is renowned as a good venue for chasing in 50-over cricket so Pakistan looked to be in trouble on Tuesday, having been reduced to 95-4 batting first.

They were bailed out by their middle-order, led by the in-form Salman Agha, who finished unbeaten on 105 from just 87 balls.

Cricket Odds

Agha has had to work hard to convince Pakistan's selectors and fans of his international quality. However, he has developed into one of their most reliable ODI runscorers and should be backed to make at least 30 in the second game of the series.

The calm right-hander has reached that landmark in 13 of his last 19 ODIs, including a superb 134 against New Zealand in February and knocks of 62 and 69 in this month's series against South Africa. 

Kamil Mishara to be Sri Lanka top batter @ 9/2

Sri Lanka debutant Kamil Mishara made a positive impression on his ODI debut, scoring 38 off 36 balls before he was caught off the bowling of Haris Rauf.

Mishara shared an opening stand of 85 with Pathum Nissanka, as Pakistan's bowlers struggled to find their lines early on, and he looked just as composed as senior partner Nissanka, who was dropped at slip on six.

South Africa openers Quinton de Kock and Lhuan-dre Pretorius scored 239 and 142 runs in the three-match series against Pakistan and Mishara could also cash in against the new ball.

He showcased his range of attacking shots at September's T20 Asia Cup, scoring 73 not out off 43 balls against Zimbabwe and an unbeaten 46 from 32 deliveries against Bangladesh.

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