🏏Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, Super Four,15th Match (A2 v B1) Abu Dhabi🏏 - Page 3

Points table

At present, India and Bangladesh lead the standings with two points each, with Suryakumar Yadav’s side ahead due to a superior net run rate.

Sri Lanka and Pakistan sit in third and fourth positions, respectively, making Tuesday’s clash a must-win for both teams.

Pakistan skipper Salman Agha now leads his side under mounting pressure, with the absence of senior stars Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan deepening the batting crisis.

The lineup has struggled with both technique and temperament.

17:30 local time | 19:00 IST: Asia Cup 2025! Tonight, it’s Sri Lanka up against Pakistan at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Both sides are coming off a tough weekend. Sri Lanka went down to Bangladesh, while Pakistan were outplayed by India. So expect a strong fightback from both camps this evening. Sahibzada Farhan impressed with a vital knock against India, while Dasun Shanaka’s late push against Bangladesh, though in vain, showed his value. With a few players finding form, this contest has all the makings of an exciting one.

Teams:

Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis(w), Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka(c), Dasun Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara

Pakistan (Playing XI): Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha(c), Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris(w), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed

Charith Asalanka: I would have done the same thing. It looks a good pitch, don't mind batting first. We are playing good cricket, we need to improve in a few areas. Batting and bowling at the depth. There are two changes. Theekshana and Karunaratne are in. We thought that we might need one extra bowler, that's why we have brought in a bowler who can bat.

Salman Agha: We will bowl first. Looks a good wicket, don't think it will change much. I think we started well (against India), but then the tempo shifted.. They are a good side, we’re a good side. We don’t think about the past, just need to focus on today. We have an unchanged side.

Pakistan have won the toss and have opted to field

Thanks for the tag Madhu!

Will be an interesting match.

Cheers..

Originally posted by: Viswasruti

Shoaib Akhtar Slams Salman Agha

Following the defeat to India, former pacer Shoaib Akhtar lashed out at captain Salman Agha and called him the weakest link in the Pakistan team. "Salman ko khud nahi pata wo kya kaptaani kar raha hai (Salman himself doesn’t know what he is doing). He is the weakest link. Does he even deserve the spot he is playing at? What does he do?

"He could be a good boy but what does he produce? Does he perform like Tilal Varma or Hardik Pandya? On top of that, he makes wrong decisions that further put the team in trouble," Akhtar further said.

Sri Lanka have played well in the Asia Cup and reached the Super 4 undefeated, beating Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Hong Kong in the process. Pakistan have looked like a team that is down on confidence, and there seem to be too many loopholes in the squad.

They lack a quality in the middle order, the bowlers have been out of form, and the field is below standard. Pakistan need to raise their game to test Sri Lanka today.

And i won't edit that word.

Originally posted by: BeingBlunt

Never ever tag me in Terroristani related stuff Please.

And i won't edit that word.

Over Summary (1-7):

Mendis chips one off the pads to mid-wicket. Shaheen strikes early

Kusal Perera flicks one for a sixer off Faheem

Nissanka hits a six and gets out next ball to Shaheen. Pakistan on top

Asalanka starts on an aggressive note with a six and a couple of fours

Rauf removes the dangerous Perera. SL three down inside the powerplay

Four different batters hit sixes in the first six overs today, the joint-most in the phase in a Men’s T20I innings(where ball-by-ball data is available) alongside seven other instances, four previously for FM sides:

ENG vs NZ, Auckland, 2019

IND vs WI, Basseterre, 2022

WI vs SA, Centurion, 2023

WI vs ENG, Tarouba, 2023

SL 67/5 (9.3)

CRR: 7.05

Pakistan opted to bowl

They already lost 5 wickets, their main batters, it means target for Pak will be arround 100-120 only.

Sri Lanka are in trouble having lost half their side. Can Kamindu and Hasaranga build a partnership and rebuild this innings?