Asia Cup 2023: SL vs PAK Preview – Hosts fight for a place in the final
The upcoming match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023 will be a virtual semi-final. The winner will qualify for the finals while the loser will bow out of the competition. Both teams suffered a defeat at the hands of India in the last match and there are things they need to work on at the moment.
When it comes to Pakistan, they have made five changes from their defeat against India. Naseem Shah has been ruled out of the competition while Haris Rauf too will not be able to take part against Sri Lanka. Mohammad Nawaz will be making his return to playing XI and so will Zaman Khan, who replaced Naseem. On the other hand, Fakhar Zaman has been dropped as Mohammad Haris will be opening alongside Imam-ul-Haq. They have also dropped Faheem Ashraf as Saud Shakeel has been called up in the XI.
Five changes ahead of a big match tell the entire story. Be it batting or balling, nothing really worked against India as they suffered a humiliating defeat. Hence, the Babar Azam-led side reacted quickly and they will be desperate to get the job done against Sri Lanka in Colombo.
The home team, meanwhile, will be much more relaxed. Despite the defeat against India, the Dasun Shanaka-led side has played some good cricket so far. Young sensation Dimuth Wellalage picked up five wickets against the Men in Blue and also contributed significantly with the bat. Charith Asalanka and Dhananjaya de Silva too had a good outing. Hence, the defending champions will be confident of their chances against the world’s number-one-ranked ODI team.
Pitch Conditions:
The surface at Colombo is expected to assist the spinners. Bowling first will be ideal as rain can play a part in the match. Anything over 260 runs will be a good total on this surface.
Venue details: R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Last ODI match at the venue: India vs Sri Lanka, 2023, | Result: India won by 41 runs
Probable playing XI for Sri Lanka vs Pakistan clash:
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka are unlikely to make any changes to their playing XI. The particular group has done a commendable job in the absence of some of the first-team players and Shanka is likely to back the same combination.
Probable XI: 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
Pakistan have made five changes to their playing XI. Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah will sit out due to their injury concerns while Fakhar Zaman, Faheem Ashraf and Agha Salman have been dropped.
Probable XI: Mohammad Haris, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Zaman Khan, Mohammad Wasim Jr
