After stumbling against the formidable Indian team, both Pakistan and Sri Lanka are gearing up to clash in a decisive Super Four encounter. The aim? To secure a coveted spot in the final of the Asia Cup 2023 at the vibrant R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo this Thursday.
Unfortunately, Pakistan might have to step into this significant battle without the duo, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah, due to injuries sustained in their previous face-off with India. But fear not, as the promising Shahnawaz Dahani and Zaman Khan are ready to step up. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka, without injury woes, eyes this contest cautiously, especially with the looming ICC World Cup. Having both triumphed over Bangladesh, they are neck-and-neck in points, setting the stage for an electrifying contest.
Journey So Far
Pakistan initiated their Asia Cup 2023 journey with a dominant victory over Nepal, with Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed dazzling with their centuries, and Shadab Khan dismantling the opposition’s batting lineup. Though their subsequent match against India was halted mid-way, their pace battery showcased a fierce display. Progressing to the Super Four stage, they outplayed Bangladesh with considerable ease, a combined bowling effort from Rauf and Shah being the highlight. However, their subsequent duel with India proved to be tough, succumbing to a hefty total put up by the Indian batsmen and a magical spell by Kuldeep Yadav.
On the other side, Sri Lanka started their campaign with a commanding win against Bangladesh, driven by stellar performances from Sadeera Samarawickrama and Charith Asalanka. Even in a nail-biting finish against Afghanistan, they managed to edge out a victory, thanks to Kusal Mendis’ heroic effort. Their journey in the Super Four has been marked by Samarawickrama’s brilliance against Bangladesh and a valiant effort against India, despite falling short.
Historical Confrontations
The cricketing annals record 155 encounters between these teams in ODIs, with Pakistan having a superior winning rate, boasting 92 victories over Sri Lanka’s 58. A single match witnessed a deadlock, while five encounters were left inconclusive. Their last ODI clash dates back to September 2019, where Pakistan clinched a victory, thanks to robust innings from Fakhar Zaman and Abid Ali in Karachi.
Players to Watch Out For
- Dunith Wellalage: The star who shined in the recent encounter against India, Wellalage is expected to bring his A-game once again, hoping to disrupt Pakistan’s batting lineup with his spinning prowess.
- Shadab Khan: Filling in possibly for the injured Rauf and Shah, Shadab carries the burden of striking at crucial junctures. Though he has been experiencing a dip in form, his recent breakthroughs offer a glimmer of hope against the Lankan batsmen well-acquainted with spin.
Image Source – TimesofIndia
Predicted Line-ups
- Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (C), Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana
- Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-Ul-Haq, Babar Azam (C), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani
Match Forecast While Pakistan is reeling from a harsh defeat and the potential absence of key players, Sri Lanka displayed fervor against India, setting up a spirited prelude to the finals. A fierce contest is on the cards, with both teams vying to secure their berth in the grand finale. Let’s watch as the drama unfolds this Thursday!
