KEY POINTS
- Both teams lost their opening Super Four matches, making this game essential for their final hopes.
- Pakistan has the edge with 13 wins, but Sri Lanka has won the last five encounters.
ABU DHABI: Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and elected to bowl first against Sri Lanka in a crucial Asia Cup 2025 Super Four match at Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi, on Tuesday. Both teams lost their first matches, making this game a must-win to stay hopeful for the final.
Pakistan’s top batter, Sahibzada Farhan, has been playing well, giving the team a strong start again India. However, their middle order is still finding its rhythm, so much depends on their openers to score big. Saim Ayub, who has struggled with the bat, has contributed with the ball and hopes to perform better when it counts.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, received a boost from Dasun Shanaka’s impressive 64 runs against Bangladesh, his first fifty in two years.
Their opening player, Pathum Nissanka, has been steady at the top. Their bowlers, Thushara and Wanindu Hasaranga, have been sharp and will try to put pressure on Pakistan’s batters.
Historically, Pakistan has won more matches against Sri Lanka, with 13 wins out of 23 games. But recently, Sri Lanka has been on a winning streak, taking all five of their latest encounters. This match is expected to be intense, with both teams eager to prove themselves.
Pakistan and Sri Lanka are trying to bounce back and improve their rankings, Pakistan is seventh, Sri Lanka eighth. Sri Lanka feels confident after winning both their matches in Abu Dhabi so far, and a win here would boost their revival hopes.
Key players to watch include Haris Rauf from Pakistan, who has performed well against Sri Lanka, and Nuwan Thushara from Sri Lanka, known for his swing bowling. The pitch in Abu Dhabi tends to favour high scores, but slow bowlers can also succeed.
Possible lineups include Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan and Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka leading the charge. The game is set to be a thrilling contest, with both teams eager to turn their fortunes around and keep their Asia Cup dreams alive.
Pakistan Probable Playing XI
1 Sahibzada Farhan, 2 Fakhar Zaman, 3 Saim Ayub, 4 Hussain Talat, 5 Mohammad Nawaz, 6 Salman Agha (capt.), 7 Faheem Ashraf, 8 Mohammad Haris, 9 Shaheen Afridi, 10 Haris Rauf, 11 Abrar Ahmed
Sri Lanka Probable Playing XI
1 Pathum Nissanka, 2 Kusal Mendis (wk), 3 Kamil Mishara, 4 Kusal Perera, 5 Charith Asalanka (capt.), 6 Kamindu Mendis, 7 Dasun Shanaka, 8 Wanindu Hasaranga, 9 Dushmantha Chameera, 10 Maheesh Theekshana, 11 Nuwan Thushara
