Sri Lanka vs Pakistan, Asia Cup 2022, Today Match Prediction 11 September 2022

sl vs pak Match Prediction & Analysis

It is the final of the Asia Cup 2022 and Sri Lanka is all set to take on Pakistan. It has been a tournament full of surprises as few would have expected Sri Lanka to play so well as they did before the start of the tournament and after their first game. They defeated Pakistan in the last game by 5 wickets in what has been billed as a rehearsal for the final.  Nonetheless, this win would surely boost the side’s confidence.  

It has been four consecutive wins for the Sri Lankans, and this would make them happy. Their batsmen and bowlers have been in good form. Pakistan would have worries about their batting as in the last two games they have struggled to put runs on the board. However, there would be pressure on both teams going into this game and we will see a good contest between the bat and the ball.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Sri Lanka Preview

Dasun Shanaka would be happy with the way his side has played in the Super Four. They have won all the games and gained momentum. It was an excellent show by the team against Pakistan in the last game where they won by 5 wickets with three overs to spare. As they get into the title decider Shanaka shall look to repeat this success and win their first multi-nation tournament.  

Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis have been in good form and the side would need an excellent start from them in this game. Danushka Gunathilaka has to hold the middle order together and score runs with Dhananjaya de Silva and Bhanuka Rajapaksa. Their lower middle order has looked in good form and they would expect quick runs from the bats of Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Shanaka, and Chamika Karunaratne.  

The bowling attack did a fine job in the last game with Maheesh Theekshana and Dilshan Madushanka bowling tight spells with the new ball. Hasaranga is the best bowler for the side, and he looks in good shape. Pramod Madushan, Dhananjaya de Silva, and Karunaratne make it a strong bowling attack.  
 

Sri Lanka Predicted Playing XI:

Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Danushka Gunathilaka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Pramod Madushan, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka

Sri Lanka Actual Playing XI:

Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Pramod Madushan, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Pathum Nissanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka, Kusal Mendis, Danushka Gunathilaka, Wanidu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne

Pakistan Preview

Babar Azam would be upset with the loss against Sri Lanka in the last game. Their batsmen have been tested in the last two games the side has played. They come here with four consecutive losses against Sri Lanka and need to get over it. It will be a tough contest and Azam would like his players to bring out their best.  

Babar Azam hasn’t fared well in the tournament, and he will need to play well opening the batting with Mohammad Rizwan. The middle order must convert its starts and runs would be needed from Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Khushdil Shah. Mohammad Nawaz, Asif Ali, and Hasan Ali shall need to play well in the finishers’ role in this game.  

The bowling attack would face a tough challenge as the Sri Lankan batting line-up has done well. Mohammad Hasnain and Haris Rauf must bowl good lines with the new ball. The side would also expect to see good spells from Mohammad Nawaz in the middle overs as he has done. Usman Qadir and Hasan Ali are good bowlers in this format and there would be a lot of expectations from them.

Pakistan Predicted Playing XI:

Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Asif Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Usman Qadir

Pakistan Actual Playing XI:

Iftikhar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hasnain, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Nawaz, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

Dubai would see clear skies and a warm evening on September 11. The surface is an absolute delight for the batsmen, and we have seen a lot of runs being scored here in the last few games. A score of 180 runs is a must for the side batting first to feel safe on this track. 

Venue Details

The Dubai International Cricket Stadium is large and hitting the ball over the boundary ropes isn’t easy. But the pitch is a good one to bat on and the fast outfield offers ample boundary-scoring opportunities to the batsmen. Fast bowlers need to use variations to grab wickets as there is no assistance from the track. But spinners have done well here in the recent games as the slowness of the surface aids them.

Toss: To Bowl

Toss has decided the result at this venue as we have seen only two sides defend a score successfully at this venue in the last 30 games. Hence, the spin of the coin would be crucial and the side winning the toss would have no hesitation in opting to bowl first in this game.