Pakistan continued to follow the routine of announcing the playing XI in the ongoing Asia Cup despite being hamstrung with injuries. Pakistan made as many as five changes to their line-up for the Super Fours match against Sri Lanka owing to three injury concerns and a couple of them being tactical. Pakistan’s game against Sri Lanka will be a must-win for either sides for a place in the final of the Asia Cup, with India already booking their spot.
Pacer Naseem Shah has been ruled out of the Asia Cup after suffering an injury in the India match. Haris Rauf’s oblique muscle is troubling him while all-rounder Salman Agha got a couple of cuts on his face after the ball hit him after the batter tried to sweep a Ravindra Jadeja delivery. However, it took the top edge and since he wasn’t wearing a helmet, it hit him and blood dripped off his face.
Opener Fakhar Zaman, who has been struggling with his form was dropped along with all-rounder Faheem Ashraf as the duo made way for Mohammad Haris and Mohammad Nawaz. Saud Shakeel, Muhammad Wasim Jr and Zaman Khan replaced the injured trio in the playing XI for the Sri Lanka game.
Rauf didn’t bowl on the reserve day against India while Naseem had pulled a muscle and both didn’t come out to bat. Pakistan had called up reserve bowlers Shahnawaz Dahani and Zaman Khan as backup and the latter will now be playing the game against Sri Lanka on Thursday, September 14.
Sri Lanka had a golden opportunity to beat India on Tuesday, September 12 having bowled them out for just 213 runs, however, their batters succumbed under pressure. India won a thrilling game by 41 runs to qualify for the final and the winners of the Pakistan-Sri Lanka game will join them in the summit clash.
Pakistan’s playing XI for Asia Cup 2023 Super Fours match against Sri Lanka: Mohammad Haris, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Zaman Khan
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