On Thursday, September 14, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, the co-hosts of the Asia Cup 2023, will square off in Colombo in a game that must be won by both teams. The stakes are really high because the victor of this match will face India in the summit match on Sunday.
Pakistan and Sri Lanka have so far split their games in the 2018 Asia Cup’s Super Four stage. They achieve identical outcomes, triumphing over Bangladesh and falling short of India. However, Sri Lanka has a higher Net Run Rate and will win in the event of a washout.
Pakistan has released their starting XI one day before their match, as has become customary for them in this edition of the Asia Cup.
The side that took on India has undergone up to five alterations. In spite of missing two of its main pacers, the “Men in Green” will attempt to recover from their humiliating 228-run defeat.
Haris Rauf has been sidelined for the pivotal match against Sri Lanka after experiencing pain on his right flank on the opening day of the match against India. Naseem Shah left the pitch after becoming hurt while bowling towards the end of India’s innings. He is not included in the XI.
Pakistan has decided to omit Fakhar Zaman, who has struggled for runs during the season, in addition to these two strike bowlers. All-arounder Salman Ali Agha is another player that was absent from the previous game. Faheem Ashraf, an all-rounder who bowls fast, has also been replaced by Mohammad Nawaz, an all-rounder who bowls spin.
Alongside Imam-ul-Haq, the 22-year-old Mohammad Haris will start the innings. Salman will be replaced by Saud Shakeel, who has been outstanding for Pakistan in red-ball cricket. Mohammad Wasim Jr. and Zaman Khan will take the position of the pace-bowling team of Naseem and Haris. The latter will play his first ODI cricket match.
Our playing XI for the #PAKvSL match
#AsiaCup2023 pic.twitter.com/lhT5Vl8RtX
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 13, 2023
India
