DUBAI; Sri Lanka are poised for an unlikely Asia Cup victory over favourites Pakistan in Sunday’s final after a giant-slaying streak through the tournament despite troubles at home.
The island nation had to abandon plans to host the Twenty20 competition due to political unrest and stumbled in their opener to Afghanistan by eight wickets, with nearly 10 overs remaining.
But the five-time champions bounced back to beat Bangladesh, Afghanistan and tournament favourites India, scuttling a hotly anticipated finals showdown between Rohit Sharma’s men and arch-rivals Pakistan.
Friday’s closing Super Four match was a dress rehearsal for the Dubai final — and Sri Lanka’s fourth straight victory, albeit with Pakistan missing two of their key players.
On Sunday they will depend on the spin pairing of Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana, who helped bowl out Pakistan for 121 on Friday in a comfortable five-wicket win.
Opener Pathum Nissanka led the batting charge with an unbeaten 55 in a clinical show, but skipper Dasun Shanaka warned his team of complacency.
“The confidence we have is massive after four consecutive wins, but we still don’t take Pakistan lightly in the final,” Shanaka told reporters.
“We know they are a very good side and enough good players in their side to come back strong and we should be ready for that.”
Sri Lanka fared well in their recent home series of two Tests against Pakistan, played in Galle against the backdrop of a punishing economic crisis and political unrest.
Shanaka said his side had been bombarded with “messages of love and support” and its Asia Cup success had brought cheer back home after miserable months of blackouts, fuel shortages and protests.
“So nice that we are winning and giving back something to them,” he said.
Confidence and passion
Pakistan are weathering their own troubles at home with monsoon floods that have inundated a third of the country.
But the team have shone through the tournament, a curtain-raiser for next month’s T20 World Cup in Australia, avenging an opening game loss to India and clinching a last-over thriller against Afghanistan.
Fast bowler Naseem Shah and all-rounder Shadab Khan both missed Friday’s showdown but will lengthen Sri Lanka’s odds when they return for the final.
Naseem, 19, has kept the edge on Pakistan’s bowling attack in the absence of pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi, who missed the tournament due to injury.
He also hit two sixes in a dramatic one-wicket win over Afghanistan to seal India’s exit.
Batting remains a cause for concern, with skipper Babar Azam managing a tournament best of just 30. Mohammad Rizwan is the only consistent performer with 226 runs in five matches.
But coach Saqlain Mushtaq said he had complete faith in his side to deliver despite Azam’s “unlucky” run.
“The latest match we won against India, we chased and batted well,” he said.
“Things are moving in the right direction and we are confident.”
Pakistan’s latest loss to Sri Lanka might have stalled their momentum, but Saqlain said the team will heed the lessons of Friday’s match-up.
“I will talk about mistakes in the dressing room, but Sri Lanka will take confidence into the final and Pakistan some learnings and passion,” Saqlain said.
On Wednesday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) revealed the teams for the forthcoming series against South Africa, which is set to start on December 10.
With the announcement that the series will be played in both red-ball and white-ball forms, several important players who had been sidelined because of injuries or workload management have made their comebacks.
Shaheen Shah Afridi, a fast bowler, will return to the white-ball team after missing the last two Test matches against England. His inclusion is thought to be a crucial step in guaranteeing optimal fitness prior to the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. In the ODIs and T20Is against South Africa, Afridi, who has been recuperating from workload-related issues, will be hoping to contribute.
The seasoned fast bowler Mohammad Abbas, who was called up to the Test team following an outstanding showing in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, is another important addition.
Abbas demonstrated his excellent form and made a compelling argument for his selection with an outstanding 31 wickets in five games. Abbas, who hasn’t played Test cricket since 2021, will give Pakistan’s bowling attack vital depth in the red-ball format.
Naseem Shah is back in the ODI and Test squads after missing the most recent England series owing to injury. Pakistan will rely heavily on the 21-year-old’s speed and ability to disrupt top-order batsmen in both formats.
Along with the seasoned players, a number of fresh talents have been called up. After making an impression with the Pakistan Shaheens, Khurram Shahzad has won a position in the Test team, while Mir Hamza also returns. Following impressive performances in the T20I series, left-arm wrist spinner Sufyan Moqim was called up for the first time for the 50-over format and was added to the ODI squad.
On the other hand, off-spinner Sajid Khan has been excluded despite playing well in the England series. Only one specialist spinner, Noman Ali, has been chosen by the selectors to be a member of the Test team.
Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by a resounding 10-wicket margin in the final to win the Blind T20 World Cup. In just 11 overs, the home team chased down a target of 140 runs, demonstrating their superior skill and coordination.
The game’s star was Nisar Ali, who gave an incredible batting effort. He ensured a smooth and conclusive victory for Pakistan by smashing an undefeated 72 runs off just 31 balls.
With the win, Pakistan’s stellar record in blind cricket gains yet another honor, solidifying its supremacy in the game.
Supporters nationwide rejoiced after the team’s outstanding accomplishment.
BULAWAYO: Pakistan defeated Zimbabwe by 57 runs in the opening Twenty20 International of the three-match series on Sunday thanks to an unbeaten 39-run performance from Tayyab Tahir and a combined bowling effort.
Muhammad Irfan Khan (27*) and Tayyab Tahir contributed an outstanding 65-run fifth-wicket partnership off 34 balls, which helped Pakistan reach 165-4.
After reaching 60 for two in their PowerPlay, which was eight runs more than Pakistan, Zimbabwe lost pace and was dismissed for 108 in 15.3 overs.
Abrar Ahmed finished with three for 28 after taking two wickets in his second over, while Sufyan Moqim enthralled the middle order with his left-arm wrist spin bowling, finishing with figures of 4-0-20-3. Haris Rauf scored 17 runs while taking two wickets.
Pakistan got a strong start, reaching 52 for 1 at the end of the powerplay overs. After that, they were stifled for runs as the following 11 overs produced 69 runs at a cost of three wickets.
Keep up with us on our official WhatsApp account. Nevertheless, Irfan and Tayyab contributed 44 runs from the final three overs to give the total some steadiness. In his 25-ball 39 not out, Tayyab hit four fours and a six, and Irfan hit three fours in his 15-ball 27.
Usman Khan with a 30-ball 39 with two fours and two sixes and Saim Ayub (24) were the other notable run scorers, while Omair Bin Yousuf scored 16 and captain Salman Ali Agha scored a 19-ball 13.
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza was the most impressive bowler, taking one for 14 from his four overs, while fast bowlers Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani collectively conceded 82 runs from their eight overs.
Pakistan’s starting lineup includes: Omair Bin Yousuf, Salman Agha (c), Tayyab Tahir, Irfan Khan, Abbas Afridi, Jahandad Khan, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Usman Khan (wk), and Saim Ayub.
Tawandanashe Marumani (wk), Tashinga Musekiwa, Richard Ngarava, Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza (c), Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Brain Bennett, Ryan Burl, Trevor Gwandu, and Clive Madande make up Zimbabwe’s starting lineup.