India booked their ticket to the final after clinching a dominant win over Pakistan and a hard-fought one over Sri Lanka in the Super Fours to make up for the early exit last year in the Asia Cup. It’s now time for Pakistan and Sri Lanka to fight it out for a spot in the final when they meet in the Super Fours contest in Colombo on Thursday, September 14.
Pakistan need nothing less than a win when they meet Sri Lanka in the Super Fours match at the R Premadasa Stadium. Pakistan’s confidence took a big dent after their crushing defeat to India, while Sri Lanka will be looking to make a mark after a spirited show against Rohit Sharma’s men in Colombo.
Pakistan will hope the weather gods in Colombo show mercy as a washout will eliminate them from Asia Cup 2023. Pakistan have the worst Net Run Rate in the Super Fours as the big defeat to India did not help their cause. There is no reserve day for the match between the two former champions.
Pakistan headed into Asia Cup 2023 as one of the favourites to lift the trophy. They made a strong start, decimating Nepal in the tournament opener in Multan before putting up a good bowling show against India in a Group A match in Pallekele.
They began the Super Fours stage with a dominant 7-wicket win over Bangladesh. However, their campaign took a huge blow when they meet their arch-rivals for the 2nd time.
It was a reality check for Pakistan as they were handed a 228-run hammering by India in the rain-affected Super Fours match in Colombo that needed a reserve day. Pakistan’s bowling wilted under pressure and their batters were not able to step up in the steep chase.
5 CHANGES TO XI
It seems as if Pakistan have panicked. They lost two of their key pacers, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf, to injury concerns. While Naseem has been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament, Haris has not been picked for their must-win match against Sri Lanka as a precautionary measure.
Pakistan also dropped their flamboyant opener Fakhar Zaman after a string of failures, making as many as 5 changes to their XI that lost to India.
Pakistan have added left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz as the pitch at the RPS is expected to be spin-friendly, as it was in the thriller between India and Sri Lanka where Rohit’s men defended 213.
Pakistan need their batting order to step up and captain Babar Azam, who has not come to the party in the Super Fours, needs to lead from the front. There is pressure on wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, who has not done justice to the faith shown in him by the team management so far.
