The last game of the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup 2022 is scheduled to be played between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Both teams have secured their place in the final on Friday. The game on Friday acts as a preparatory clash ahead of the big game on Sunday. Both teams are in great form and would be looking to extend their winning run.
Sri Lanka are coming into this game on the back of a morale-boosting 6-wicket win over India. Despite a stellar knock of 72 runs in 41 balls from Rohit Sharma, Sri Lanka managed to restrict India to 173 runs in the first innings. Dilshan Madushanka starred with the ball as he picked three wickets for 24 runs in 4 overs.
Sri Lanka managed to chase down the score in 19.5 overs. Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis laid the foundation with a 97-run partnership for the opening wicket. They stuttered a bit in the middle overs but an unbeaten partnership between Rajapaksa and Shanaka eventually helped the team reach home.
Pakistan, on the other hand, registered a 1-wicket win over Afghanistan. Babar Azam and Men restricted India to Afghanistan to 129 runs in the first innings. Afghanistan’s bowling unit almost won the game but two sixes in two balls from Naseem Shah in the last over meant Pakistan knocked them out of the race for the finals. The only concern right now for Pakistan is Babar Azam’s form.
The upcoming match will be a great opportunity for him to score a big knock and come back to form.
Here’s a look at some of the important details to look out:
Predicted Playing XI:
Sri Lanka:
Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Charith Asalanka, Danushka Gunathilaka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka
Pakistan:
Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Babar Azam (c), Fakhar Zaman, Khushdil Shah, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Asif Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah
Head to Head:
Matches Played: 21
Sri Lanka won: 8 matches
Pakistan won: 13 matches
Broadcast Details:
Match Timings – September 09, 7:30 PM IST
Telecast & Live Streaming – Star Sports Network, Disney+ Hotstar
Pitch Conditions:
The big boundaries here don’t allow the batsmen to score fours and sixes easily. Bowlers too have got a lot of assistance from the surface. However, as the game progresses, it becomes easier to bat on. Thus, both teams should look to bowl first after winning the toss.
