🏏Asia Cup 2022 Final : Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 🏏

Sri Lanka triumphed against Pakistan in the dress rehearsal for the 2022 final with relative ease.

But the Pakistan team are rearing to grab the Asia Cup with their sheer grit and determination.

But not being able to start strong or pull one over the fiercest rival early has made no difference as the two teams find themselves in the title clash today.

Sri Lanka, in their 11th final in this tournament, are aiming to take their Asia Cup title tally to 6 - just one behind India - while Pakistan are looking to add their third to the trophy cabinet.

Friday's Super Four game between the two gave them a glimpse into each other's strengths and weaknesses, spicing up their Sunday showdown even more.

Pakistan's biggest lesson from Friday will be about improving their batting effort against Sri Lanka's spin potency, which won the latter that game.

For Sri Lanka, the unknown is how they might fare batting first, particularly against Pakistan's young pace attack that has done admirably well in the absence of Shaheen Afridi.

Sri Lanka have had the advantage of bowling first in each of their Super Four victories, so the flip of fortunes at the toss could come as a stern test.

Crossed fingers, long prayers, chewed up nails and adrenaline-pumping close finishes have defined this Asia Cup.

Now with the two best sides competing for the crown having just sized up each other from close vicinity, expect more of the same for one last time.

The Islanders are the in-form side heading into the showcase event, but face a strong opponent in Babar Azam's side.

The Men in Green will be hoping for a better performance from their batters, with Naseem Shah and Shadab Khan most likely to return to the playing XI in the final.

The tournament has produced some absolute heart stopping thrillers so far and with the look of both the finalists, it promises to be another smashing blockbuster clash.

Playing Probable 11 ---

Sri Lanka Probable XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis(w), Charith Asalanka/Dhananjaya de Silva, Danushka Gunathilaka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka(c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Pramod Madushan/Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka

Pakistan Probable XI: Mohammad Rizwan(w), Babar Azam(c), Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Asif Ali, Khushdil Shah, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Hasnain

Hoping for a tough contest🥳

im hereee with my flag

Recent Venue Records (Dubai International Cricket Stadium, UAE)

Stats- T20Is

Total matches- 80

Matches won batting first- 35

Matches won bowling first- 44

Average 1st Inns scores- 143

Average 2nd Inns scores- 127

Highest total recorded- 211/6 (20 Ov) by IRE vs SCO

Lowest total recorded- 55/10 (14.2 Ov) by WI vs ENG

Highest score chased- 184/8 (19.2 Ov) by SL vs BAN

Lowest score defended- 134/7 (20 Ov) by OMAN vs HK

Toss

The team winning the toss might opt to bowl first. Almost all the teams won while chasing during the super four round of Asia Cup 2022. Both Sri Lanka and Pakistan also won their previous few games while chasing. Hence, they will look to bowl first if they win the toss in Asia Cup 2022 final.

Omg!! That was rehearsal match??😳

I thought SL already took the trophy that day🤪

Anyways

Excited for today's match

May the best team wins ⭐️

Thanks for the tag Madhu!🤗

May the best team win the toss.

Cheers..

Another 'win toss, bowl first' situation. 26 of the last 30 T20Is have been won by the chasing side. Three of the four target-setting winners have been teams that have scored in excess of 190.

Among the two teams, Pakistan have a better record than Sri Lanka on both counts since 2021 against top-10 teams - batting first, Pakistan have won 5 in 12 games while Sri Lanka have won just 2 of their 17. Batting second, Pakistan have 13 wins in 17 while Sri Lanka have won 9 in 19.

Head to head: Sri Lanka and Pakistan have met in three Asia Cup finals - the former won in 1986 and 2014 while the latter emerged victorious in 2000. This will be Sri Lanka's 11th Asia Cup final - the most for a team.