Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Women 1st T20 Preview & Tips - Sri Lanka to extend impressive T20 run

Pakistan have not been at their best in the ODI game, with the travelling side winning just two of their last 10 in the 50 over format. 

Sri Lanka have won four of their last 10 T20's against Pakistan, with the latter securing victories in their other six meetings. 

Sri Lanka Women have been very impressive in the shortest format, with the nation tasting defeat in just two of their last 10. 

Impressively, their strong run came at the T20 World Cup, with the side managing to win three of their five matches. Placed in a group alongside England and the West Indies, Sri Lanka were beaten by the duo, but they managed to secure wins over New Zealand, Scotland and Ireland. While they will have been disappointed to have missed out on a place in the semi-finals, their third placed finish was impressive. 

Now, Sri Lanka switch their attention to facing an opponent that they have beaten in two of their three recent ODI's and have lost eight of their last nine in the T20 format. With home advantage and the better run behind them, I am backing Sri Lanka to secure the win. 

Pakistan Women have been very inconsistent across formats, with the nation winning just two of their last 12, with 10 defeats coming in their other outings. 

Unlike Sri Lanka, Pakistan had to endure a torrid Women's T20 World Cup as they finished fifth in Group A. Four defeats and a single victory over winless Netherlands saw Pakistan finish six points short of South Africa in second, with the gulf in class between Pakistan and the top sides clear. 

While the focus for Pakistan will be on bouncing back from their 2-1 ODI series loss to Sri Lanka, I do not back them in the opener. Sri Lanka have been very good in the shortest format and I predict an 11th defeat in 13 matches for Pakistan.