Pakistan and Sri Lanka will face each other in a must-win game on 23rd September at Abu Dhabi.
Match Preview:
Pakistan and Sri Lanka are all set to play in more what we call do-or-die clashes. Whoever loses today, will have a slimmer chance to make it to the finals. Both of the sides are coming from crush losses and both of the sides lost while defending the total.
Both of the sides have batting firepower and consistent issues but what makes Sri Lanka a bit favourite is their record against Pakistan in the last T20i games.
Sri Lanka is yet to lose a game versus Pakistan since 2019, last time these sides faced each other was in 2022, where Sri Lanka overpowered Pakistan in the final.
Pakistan played Hussain Talat in the last game to tackle the spin and the decision backfired. On the surface like Abu Dhabi, they might bring in Hasan Nawaz, who has a stronger record versus pace.
Pakistan may tend to play an extra genuine pacer as well but it would be difficult to see who they are going to drop.
Talking about Sri Lanka, their bowling is in the trenches whereas the batters showed some signs of revival in the last group game versus Afghanistan. Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis are very important for Sri Lanka and they would be in dire need of contributions from Wanindu Hasaranga to keep their hopes up for the final. They might be an extra bowler for this game as it was hinted by their skipper too.
“We tend to have four ‘proper bowlers’ and then Dasun Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis, and me, have to make up the other overs. But this is T20, and even our best bowlers sometimes go for 40 or 45. If we had another bowler, it would help. But we’re still deciding how to go forward.” – Charith Asalanka
The competition is even, the problems are the same, the chances are slim for both sides, but it’s the one who will take pride today.
Probable Playing XI:
Pakistan (possible): 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 (possible): 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
Pitch and weather report:
One of the UAE’s higher-scoring venues is usually Abu Dhabi. Even so, slower bowlers occasionally find success there. Sri Lanka prevailed in both of these group stage games.
Head-to-head record:
A total of 23 games have been played between the two sides with Pakistan winning 13 while Sri Lanka accumulating victory in 10. Although head-to-head record favours Pakistan they are yet to beat SL in the format since 2019 and in Asia Cup since 2022.
Predictions:
The sides are even and anything can happen but Sri Lanka are favourite to win this clash.
Where to Watch:
India: Sony Liv app and website (sonyliv.com).
Pakistan: Tamasha and Myco
Sri Lanka: Dialog ViU app
Bangladesh: Toffee and Tapmad.
UAE and Mena region: StarzPlay
Afghanistan: Toffee app and websites
