Sri Lanka vs Pakistan: Match Preview, Asia Cup 2022 Final

Sri Lanka takes on Pakistan in the final of the Asia Cup 2022 in Dubai on Sunday, September 11. Both the teams played the last Super 4 game on Friday, September 9 with the Lankans beating the Men in Green in the dead rubber.

The two teams are now looking forward to the final. Dasun Shanaka’s men earned a five-wicket win and will head into the final as the more confident of the two teams. They have won all their games chasing and have aced every chase at that. They will look to back their strength in the final as well.

Sri Lanka and Pakistan both defeated India and Afghanistan in the Super 4 stage to book a berth in the final. Both the teams have played some really competitive cricket and look well prepared ahead for the big game. Sri Lanka last won an Asia Cup title back in 2014 while Pakistan in 2012. India won the championship in the last two editions and now we will have a new champion.

Asia Cup 2022 will be hosted by Sri Lanka in UAE. A total of 13 matches will take place during the tournament. India are the defending champions of the tournament, which won the title back in 2018 by defeating Bangladesh in the final.

However, after losing two consecutive games in the Asia Cup the Men in Blue have failed to defend the title as they were eliminated from the tournament. India have also won the most 7 Asia Cup titles so far. Sri Lanka comes next with 5 titles while Pakistan has won 2 titles.

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan: Match Preview, Asia Cup 2022 Final

Sri Lanka

The Lankans have won three games chasing in this tournament so far. They chased a record 183 against Bangladesh and two scores of over 170 against Afghanistan and India to make the finals. They have also found different players putting their hands up in the three games and taking them over the line.

With the ball, they have found a new hero in Dilshan Madhushanka who turned out to be a hero in the game against India. Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana the two spinners are Sri Lanka’s trump card with the ball.

At a time when the country is going through political and economic turmoil, an Asia Cup title win will be the perfect booster for the national team heading into the T20 World Cup. The fans will be excited if that happens and it will also bring out smiles on their faces which will be a massive achievement in itself.

Sri Lanka Squad

Dasun Shanaka (c), Danushka Gunathilaka, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Ashen Bandara, Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Praveen Jayawickrama, Chamika Karunaratne, Dilshan Madushanka, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwanidu Fernando, Nuwan Thusara, Dinesh Chandimal

Pakistan

Pakistan also have played some brilliant cricket over the course of this tournament. They kept their nerves in the game against Afghanistan with Naseem Shah hitting the winning runs. As a side, they are peaking at the right time with the T20 World Cup in a month’s time. Mohammad Rizwan’s form has been a massive gain for the side from this tournament.

Shah’s progression as a bowler has been another one. The world discovered his batting prowess the other night in the game against the Afghans. They have depth in both batting and bowling. Skipper Babar Azam’s form has been a concern and if he scores big in the final those doubts will be cleared as well.

Pakistan Squad

Babar Azam (C), Shadab Khan, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani, Usman Qadir

Also Read: SL vs PAK: Pakistan’s Predicted Playing XI Against Sri Lanka, Asia Cup 2022, Super Four Match 6