Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss and opted to bat against Sri Lanka in a must-win Asia Cup Super 4 match on Thursday. Both teams made changes with Pakistan drafting in Fakhar Zaman and Abdullah Shafique for Imam-ul-Haq and Saud Shakeel while Sri Lanka brought in Pramodh Madushan for Kasun Rajitha and Kusal Janith comes in for Dimuth Karunaratne.
Pakistan have few headaches with pacers Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah doubtful with respective injuries. They were forced to add Shahnawaz Dahani and Zaman Khan, a 22-year-old slinger pacer who can hit 150 kmph clicks, as back-ups for the remainder of Asia Cup.
The last time these two sides met, Pakistan had emerged victorious by seven wickets and hence they will be favourites in this match as well. Our senior cricket writer is in Pallekele to cover the Asia Cup. Please click here to watch the Asia Cup drama unfold through Venkata’s eyes and words.
The rain break in the middle has helped Pakistan to recover. It was a totally different pitch from the moment the play resumed at 8.10 after a 40-minute break, the moisture has set in and the conditions were more batting friendly. The revised target for Sri Lanka (DLS) is 252, says Venkata Krishna B from Colombo.
It has been an inning of two halves before the rain interruption and after the rain interruption. Sri Lanka where ahead of the game in the first half however, after the break Rizwan and Iftikhar got together and played an excellent counter-attacking innings and took the game away from Sri Lanka. The bowling of Sri Lanka and skipper Shanka looked a bit lost when the assault was on. In addition to all these Theekshna's injury did further damage to the hosts as though he was able to bowl he clearly was in lot of discomfort in his run-up. This is a good total for Pakistan unless Sri Lanka plays out of their skins it is hard to imagine a non-India vs Pakistan final in the Asia Cup 2023.
It is a gem of an innings from Rizwan. He came in when Pakistan was in a bit of trouble however, he absorbed the pressure initially and he accelerated as he went on. His partnership with Itikhar might be the one which may power Paksitan to the final. Sri Lanka too apart from attacking Rizwan with spin seem not to have a plan B which has cost them. Despite the wicket having been turning Rizwan looked comfortable and played his trademark sweeps and inside-out shots to keep the score board ticking. If Pakistan can manage to win this game Rizwan without a doubt would be the Player Of the match. After 39 overs PAK 221/5
(With inputs from agencies)