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Asia Cup 2025: Pakistan v Sri Lanka | Super 4 | Match 3 | Abu Dhabi | September 23 | Pre-Match Discussion

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Ball Blazer

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The Asia Cup 2025 Super Four stage continues to heat up as Pakistan and Sri Lanka gear up for their crucial clash in the third Super Four match on Tuesday, September 23, at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi.

Sri Lanka kicked off their Super Four journey with a disappointing defeat against Bangladesh, while Pakistan lost in a high-pressure encounter against arch-rivals India.

Both teams are now desperate to bounce back, making this fixture a must-win to keep their final hopes alive. The match is scheduled to begin at 02:30 PM GMT (06:30 PM local / 07:30 PM PST).

Pakistan squad: Salman Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Mohammad Wasim Jr

Sri Lanka squad: Charith Asalanka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Nuwanidu Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana, Janith Liyanage
 
Our Asia Cup actually starts here, and we need to gauge our progress based on the next two games. Winning the Asia Cup when the number one ranked team in the world is playing is a pipe dream, so the next best thing for every team in this tournament was to make the final and take it from there.

If we lose tomorrow, we are exactly where we were before March. Scrapped to two wins against Oman and UAE, and got destroyed by India in all departments in both games.

Sri Lanka start off as favorites, they are battle-hardened having come off a difficult group and smarting from a high octane clash against Bangladesh. Hoping for a good game, and hopefully Pakistan gets it's combination right otherwise Sri Lanka will maul them aswell.
 
Some interesting points to note:

- Sri Lanka have won the last 5 T20Is against Pakistan going back to 2019.
- That said, both sides haven't played a T20I against each other in 3 years since the 2022 Asia Cup final, which is surprising considering the generally warm relations between the two boards.
 
Hasaranga has a really dominant record against Pakistan. He has 14 wickets against Pakistan in 5 T20Is @ 9.07, ER: 6.35. With the bat, he has an average of 30.50 against Pakistan and a SR of 169. Almost every match he has played against Pakistan he has made an impact. And this is a Pakistan side that has struggled against quality spin in this tournament. So will be interesting to see how Pakistan negotiate him. They do have the benefit of playing on a pitch that has been the least friendly to spinners in UAE in the past month.
 
Crucial match in Super Four.

If Pakistan win, they just have to beat BD to go to final.
If SL win, it can get tricky. NRR may come into play (assuming BD will not beat Pakistan and assuming India will not lose any).

:inti
 
sweep_shot said:
Crucial match in Super Four.

If Pakistan win, they just have to beat BD to go to final.
If SL win, it can get tricky. NRR may come into play (assuming BD will not beat Pakistan and assuming India will not lose any).

:inti
Click to expand...
Pakistan can do it. They fought well yesterday despite losing.
 
Both teams are almost equal in strength. Should be a cracker of a match. It will be a fight of mental strength. The tougher sidewill come out successful
 
Jeez man. How bad are we?

The gulf between lower sides and the top is immense.

The Big 3 have definitely destroyed the teams that used to compete with them, not anymore.
 
This should be a good match.
Srilankan batting is better than Pakistan's batting and their bowling is decent as well.

Hasaranga will be difficult to deal with.
If Pakistan loses tomorrow it should be end of salman the captain agha. He doesn't make team on merit.

There are so many things wrong with Pakistan's batting and bowling.

I won't be surprised if Pakistan gets beat badly by srilanka.
 
I would love to see Wasim Jnr, in the team, he should have been there since day 1, I still do not understand why he is in the team if he does not play, he can be a good bowler for Pak, and can hit some runs too. Pakistan need to bring him back, its worth the try, and I think it will add good balance to the team.
 
Any of SRL and PAK and still win the trophy for me, although IND is heavy favorite. I remember in CT 2017, Pak was almost done for against SRL, but somehow they won that match and went on to win the trophy.

Same thing with SRL in 2022 edition of Asia Cup. SRL was almost done for at the group stage before winning the tournament.

BD dont have any history so cant comment on that, but if BD do qualify for Final, it will be easy win for IND.
 
followed said:
This should be a good match.
Srilankan batting is better than Pakistan's batting and their bowling is decent as well.

Hasaranga will be difficult to deal with.
If Pakistan loses tomorrow it should be end of salman the captain agha. He doesn't make team on merit.

There are so many things wrong with Pakistan's batting and bowling.

I won't be surprised if Pakistan gets beat badly by srilanka.
Click to expand...

Just be careful against Hasaranga and target the rest. That should be the strategy.
 
First five has to be
Fakhar
Farhan
Saim
Hasan
Haris

You selected these players to play aggressive cricket then let them do it. There is no need to hold them back. Surely they lack talent but give them the free license and allow them do what you selected them to do.
 
Pakistan fans are frantically suggesting different names. What is the best XI ? I will get 10 different teams from 10 different fans. If fans don't agree on it how will.the coach get it right.
 
Sri Lanka is a more than decent side that under-performs, so I’m not sure where this confidence about Pakistan starting off as favorites coming from.
 
Pretty sure Pakistan have like lost like 4-5 T20's in a row vs SL with Hasaranga being an absolute demon against them. Work will be cut out for them and even more so if they make dumb decisions like keeping Talat for Hasan Nawaz.
 
Devadwal said:
Lanka needs to Play Pathirana instead Wellalage, this match is at Abu Dhabi where Pacers get more help compared to spinners.

:kp
Click to expand...
Wont make a difference. Pathirana is too wayward. They have to hope the ball swings so that Thushara becomes dangerous.
 
jnaveen1980 said:
Pakistan fans are frantically suggesting different names. What is the best XI ? I will get 10 different teams from 10 different fans. If fans don't agree on it how will.the coach get it right.
Click to expand...
Coach has access to advanced data and models to aid his decision making. Fans don't.
 
I would go with same team. Maybe replace Mohammed nawaz with hasan nawaz. Sri Lanka has too many lefties also. So may as well bowl faheem talat and saim for those 8 overs.
 
Alot of our fans seem to think that even though we lost to India we will stroll into the final by beating these guys.

I wouldn't be so sure. Sri Lanka are favourites here.
 
cricketmania22 said:
First five has to be
Fakhar
Farhan
Saim
Hasan
Haris

You selected these players to play aggressive cricket then let them do it. There is no need to hold them back. Surely they lack talent but give them the free license and allow them do what you selected them to do.
Click to expand...
All openers?.. could that be the reason Pakistan doesnt know how to bat in the middle overs?
 
Aami said:
All openers?.. could that be the reason Pakistan doesnt know how to bat in the middle overs?
Click to expand...
Well that’s what the squad they selected. Other than Agha there is no middle order batsman. Also Hasan Nawaz has been playing in the middle order.
 
Charith Asalanka on team strategy against Pakistan in Asia Cup, Super Four Clash:

"We can't rely on the toss. Whatever we have to do, we have to do."
"We are still discussing whether we should use an extra bowler, an extra bowling all-rounder."
"I think we should have an extra bowler for a long time."
"If we lose the four overs, we have to be able to play at least four over 10 minutes. So, we are still discussing what to do."
"We have to solve this problem before the World Cup."
"If we had an extra bowler, it would have been different."
"As I said, if we have an extra bowler, it will be easier for me to bowl."
"If we don't have a good bowler, we have to play a floating role."
 
We have a worse record against Sri Lanka in the last five T20s than India.

And according to some we are favorites here.

:inti
 
Lanka need to push Kamindu to 3.
Imagine wasting your best bat at 6/7 in T20 cricket. Jokers.

Pakistan are too obsessed with bits and pieces. Not enough bats in the squad.
 
Nikhil_cric said:
A new era in Pakistan cricket dawns. Turning of the tide. PAK will destroy even Australia at the next World T20
Click to expand...
Australia is my 2nd country and my 2nd favourite team after Pakistan.

So while Pakistan is my favourite, ik full well Aus will maul them into next week.

Secondly while Pakistan is my favourite team, its onoy my favourite due to nostalgia of being born in the country.

Ultimately all my favourite players, past, present and future are and will likely be from Aus.

So no bro, ik you're trolling but I cannot support this agenda.
 
sweep_shot said:
Pakistan rank higher than SL and BD in T20.
Click to expand...

Do not think this is gonna help Pakistan at the moment.

The current Pakistani team inspires no confidence. Except for Farhan no one has done anything of note, they are not even destructive. The bowling has no teeth or fear factor. 8 out of 10 times this SL team is better than the Pak team. Wellalage needs to go deal with mental hurdles, Theeksana should come back.
 
Hopefully Pakistan don’t get overconfident and think they will win this easily and end up being knocked out tomorrow
 
Can't see us beating SL nor Bangladesh

The experiment of playing without Rizbabar has been a massive failure!
 
Pakistan will win this game. They have lost two games to India. Surely the worst is behind them in the Super Fours.
 
Pakistan need better attacking balance with bat and accurate bowlers. So Talat and Shaheen to make way for Nawaz and Hassan Ali.
 
Farhaan
Fakhar
Haris
saim
Agha
Hassan
Nawaz
Fahim
Shaheen
Rauf
Abrar

Agha should be bowling a couple overs to the left handers.
 
jnaveen1980 said:
Pakistan fans are frantically suggesting different names. What is the best XI ? I will get 10 different teams from 10 different fans. If fans don't agree on it how will.the coach get it right.
Click to expand...
Fans aren't coaching. Coach is coaching. Coach must know his XI.

Both these things aren't corelated
 
Ideally agha should follow srl template and sit out himself

Haris
Farhan
Saim
Fakhar
Hassan nawaz


This is the best top 5 we can have in these conditions and squad


If agha wants to play then play at 6 or even 8 idc
 
Sri Lanka has a chance to knock Pakistan out. gotta support Lanka here! our nagin dancing bros!
 
Hopefully we will win convincingly NRR could be in play pakistan always mess it up i hope if they have an opportunity to win convincingly they take full advantage
 
RidiculousMan said:
Or drop anyone. He's literally the first name you'd put on the sheet before the start of Asia Cup at no. 4.
Click to expand...
Batting order should be:

Fakhar (I think he should be made T20 captain after the Asia Cup)
Farhan (needs to rotate the strike better)
Saim (needs to cut out reckless shots)
Hassan Nawaz (should be given the licence to attack from the outset)
Haris (he will bat his own way!)

Salman Agha (can no longer hold his place in the team as a player. He needs to perform with the bat)
Mohammad Nawaz (tends to lose it under pressure; he needs to see a motivational speaker the most)

If it's the last 3-4 overs remaining @ the fall of Haris or Hassan's wicket, send in-form Faheem and SSA ahead of both Agha and M. Nawaz.

It is not set in stone that you have to follow the same batting order. Show some flexibility and game smartness for a change.
 
Play Hasan Nawaz at No 3 if pakistan have to post big total. U call him generational talent then sent him to bat at no. 6. Your Top 3 have to be the best and most impactful players in T20.

1. Farhaan
2. Fakhar
3. Hasan Nawaz
4. Saim
5. Salman
6. Nawaz
7. Haris
8. Faheem/wasim jnr
9 Shaheen
10 Rouf
11. Abrar
 
At current form no place for captain Agha, saim Ayoub, Husain Talat, Mohd Haris and u can consider Mohd Nawaz but he sometime can perform. All these are big liabilities in the side
 
whoever wins the toss, wins the game.

although I want Pak to win but my cricketing sense tells me that SL are the favorites tomorrow.

not only that.
i think sri lanka will go all the way

they have a habit of destroying the dreams of other teams in asia cups

they have won the most asia cups since their watershed moment of 1996
 
saabir said:
Play Hasan Nawaz at No 3 if pakistan have to post big total. U call him generational talent then sent him to bat at no. 6. Your Top 3 have to be the best and most impactful players in T20.

1. Farhaan
2. Fakhar
3. Hasan Nawaz
4. Saim
5. Salman
6. Nawaz
7. Haris
8. Faheem/wasim jnr
9 Shaheen
10 Rouf
11. Abrar
Click to expand...
fast bowlers are doing well at this venue

from my limited exposure to Hesson's coaching, i expect two to three changes

one fast bowler might come in to replace a batsman

sri lanka also has 3 left handed batsmen, Mohammad Nawaz could be dropped

since Haaris didn't even get to bat in the last game, it's very possible that Hassan Nawaz remains on the bench.
 
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