T20 Cricket World Cup Thursday Tipsheet: A batter bet at 16/5 and 11/4 top bowler chance

• Sri Lanka could have a wobble

• Trade strategy to get with Oman

• Win rates come to our aid for Nepal

• Bumrah back but Abhishek a doubt

• Varun clear value for top bowler

• For Betfair's latest cricket betting odds click here

Sri Lanka v Oman -  back Pathum Nissanka top SL bat 11/53.20

Sri Lanka v Oman
Thursday, 05:30
TV: live on Sky Sports

Sri Lanka have been dealt a significant blow with Wanindu Hasaranga ruled out of the tournameent with a hamstring injury. The all-rounder turned the tide in their favour against Ireland with three wickets and he is probably one of the two Sri lankans who would get in most other international XIs.

Dushan Hemantha has been called up as his replacement but the free spot in the XI is likely to go to Charith Asalanka, a batter who can bowl useful spin. 

It leaves the home team vulnerable against an Oman side capable of showing some fight. Had this match been at the RPS instead of Pallekele, we may well have been lining up a straight bet on Oman to take the points. Sri Lanka are a very poor T20 team and had they come up against an Irish outfit which could catch (five chances pilled) they would have been beaten convincingly.

Pallekele is a much better batting wicket than the RPS. A turgid surface would have been a leveller. Instead Oman may have to be prepared to play their shots and be bold. India posted 213 in July 2024 while England notched 173 in February. They did follow that up with 128 in the next game but that was probably a worn surface. This should be a fresh track.

We will risk Oman, who were admittedly disappointing in defeat by Zimbabwe, for a trade. At a starting price of 13.5025/2 if we back for one point we can then lay back with a foothold in the game at 4.003/1 for double the stake. That would give us an even-money win on Sri Lanka and 6.5 units on Oman. 

If we're wrong about the outcome, a saver of sorts is Pathum Nissanka, another class act, for top Sri Lanka bat. He is way overdue and there is the possibility of a short chase meaning 30-odd could win it. He is 11/53.20 with Sportsbook.

Nepal v Italy - back Rohit Kumar top Nepal bat 16/54.20

Nepal v Italy
Thursday, 09.30
TV: live on Sky Sports

Will Nepal be emboldened by their brilliant, but ultimately frutiless, effort against England? Or does this all feel like a bit of a comedown as they know they blew their probable one chance of immortality?

They are hot favourites at 1.392/5 and now find the pressure returned to them as the team trying to avoid an upset. Italy were well beaten by Scotland in their opener but will have improved for the run and experience.

Unfortunately they have suffered an injury blow with Wayne Madsen out of the tournament with a shoulder injury. It means much relies on the experienced Australia domestic players, the Manenti brothers, and JJ Smuts. As a trio they are more than capable of keeping Italy in the game.

Our top-rated bet is an interest in Rohit Kumar Paudel (listed as Rohit Kumar) by Sportsbook for top Nepal bat at 16/54.20. He has win rate on his side, returning at 25%. It's a small margin but we're more than happy for Associate records to hold up against their peers.

India v Namibia - back Varun Chakravarthy top india bowler 11/43.75

India v Namibia
Thursday, 13.30
TV: live on Sky Sports

India were fortunate to get past a spirited USA performance in their opener, avoiding an all-time shock. They recovered from 118 for seven to post a below-par 161 but managed to squeeze out the Americans with a strong bowling display.

The struggle was a symptom of issues in the camp, though. All is not going well with Harshit Rana out of the tournament to be replaced by Mohammed Siraj. Jasprit Bumrah, who missed that game, is fit again and may well replace Siraj. Abhishek Sharma is now a doubt after being hospitalised with illness.

If Abhishek is out Sanju Samson is likely to return to his opening role. There is an early value shout on him for top bat at 4/15.00 given a low chase cannot be discounted. 

Namibia were beaten by Netherlands in their first game. It's a tall order for them to be competitive against the best side in the world. A good way of backing India dominance is to pick out Varun Chakravarty for top India bowler. We know he has a great record in the market and his brand of spin will not have often been experienced by these batters.

Now read about Stick To Cricket Episode 32 with special guest Mark Butcher