Asia Cup 2023, Super Fours Match 5 | Sri Lanka's Predicted XI vs Pakistan
Sri Lanka will face Pakistan in a do-or-die match in the Super Fours of Asia Cup 2023 (Source: AP Photos)
Sri Lanka will lock horns against Pakistan in a virtual semi-final game in the Asia Cup 2023. The winner of this game will proceed to the finals of the tournament to face India. Sri Lanka has won 1 game and lost 1 in the Super 4 round. They are in the 2nd postition owing to their better net run-rate compared to Pakistan.
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They lost their last game but gave a hard time to the Indian team. Their batters need to step-up in this game if the defending champions are to play in the final of the Asia Cup 2023. It's a do or die game for Sri Lanka and they are unlikely to make any changes to their eleven from the previous if not for any forced change(s). This is Sri Lanka's predicted playing XI:
1. Pathum Nissanka
Pathum Nissanka is an important batter for Sri Lanka at the top. He likes to settle in before playing his shots and can score big on his day. The onus will be on his shoulders to get his side to a good start. Nissanka is a good players of spin bowling and he can attack the bowling in the power play. He has been pretty average in Asia Cup 2023 and will be eager to step-up in this do or die encounter.
2. Dimuth Karunaratne
Dimuth Karunaratne is a very experienced player and will be a key batter for Sri Lanka at the top. Being a left-hander he can takle Shaheen Afridi's new ball burst and Pakistan also lack a good off-spinner so he will fancy his chances against Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz. He has gotten off to a couple of starts but has failed to convert them into big scores. He will have to be on his toes in this game.
3. Kusal Mendis (wk)
Kusal Mendis has been the best batter for his team in Asia Cup 2023 and in recent times as well. He will bat at 3 and likes to bat positively. He has 162 runs in 4 innings including a couple of 50+ scores. Mendis scores big once he gets going and he needs to get going in this msut-win match. He can take down any kind of bowling on his day and Sri Lanka will hope that it's his day in the game against Pakistan.
4. Sadeera Samarawickrama
Sadeera Samarawickrama has been a great positive at number 4 for Sri Lanka in this tournament. He has been pretty consistent and has amassed 167 runs in 4 innings being the 4th highest run-scorer in the tournament. He has a couple of fifties to his name and he'll look to continue his good form in this game as well.
5. Charith Asalanka
Charith Asalanaka is another in-form batter in the Sri Lankan middle order. He has scored 130 runs in 4 games at an average of 43.33. Asalanka can also bowl a few overs of his off-spin & infact, he picked up 4 wickets in the last game against India. He will be a key batter against the Pakistani spinners in the middle overs.
6. Dhananjaya de Silva
Dhananjaya de Silva is a utility player in the Sri Lankan team. He will be important with the bat and can bowl a few overs of off-spin. He played a decent knock against India in the last game which must've given him confidence coming into this game. Dhananjaya can turn the game around with his all-round abilities.
7. Dasun Shanaka (Captain)
Dasun Shanaka has failed miserably with the bat but he bowled well against Bangladesh where he picked up three wickets & scored crucial 24 runs down the order. Shanaka likes to attack the bowlers but his spin game is quite weak. He will be the finisher for his side in the last 8-10 overs when the pacers are operating. Dasun will bowl a few overs and will contribute with both bat and ball.
8. Dunith Wellalage
Dunith Wellalage is the new star in Sri Lankan cricket. He is match-winner with both bat and ball. He has picked up nine wickets in four games including a five-for in the last game against India. Wellalage is more than handy with the bat. He is a complete package for Sri Lanka in Hasaranga's absence. He will be a key player with both bat and ball.
9. Maheesh Theekshana
Maheesh Theekshana has been brilliant for Sri Lanka in Asia Cup 2023. He has looked very lethal & has 7 wickets to his name in 4 games. He bowls in the power play and then towards the end of the innings. The batters find it very difficult to score against him. Theekshana has been handy with the bat as well and can score some useful runs down the order. He will be the lead spinner for his team.
10. Pramod Madushan
Sri Lanka may look to bring in Pramod Madushan to add some extra pace in their attack. Kasun Rajitha has been average until now. Madushan is a hit the deck bowler and he can bowl in the power play and then towards the end of the innings. He bowls at a good pace and has a good slower delivery in his arsenal.
11. Matheesha Pathirana
Matheesha Pathirana is a key bowler for Sri Lanka. He has a unique action which can be very deceptive. He will mainly bowl in the middle and death overs. Pathirana can be wayward at times but he is a wicket-taker. He bowls at a high pace and has the ability to nail the yorker in crunch situations. He has a good bouncer and a very deceptive slower delivery. Pathirana has been in good form.
Sri Lanka's Probable Playing XI vs Pakistan
Pathum Nissanka
Dimuth Karunaratne
Kusal Mendis (wk)
Sadeera Samarawickrama
Charith Asalanka
Dhananjaya de Silva
Dasun Shanaka (c)
Dunith Wellalage
Maheesh Theekshana
Pramod Madushan
Matheesha Pathirana
 "Robin")
