New Delhi: Pakistan lock horns with Sri Lanka in their second and most important Asia Cup Super 4 encounter in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. For both the sides, that have lost their first Super 4 match, this game comes up as a do or die clash which will decide their fate ahead in the continental tournament, with both the Asian sides in the brink of crashing out.
While the Lankans lost their first Super 4 clash against Bangladesh by 4 wickets despite playing well in the game, the Men in Green went down against arch-rivals India by 6 wickets in a tense clash on Sunday. India and Bangladesh started their Super 4 campaign with victories getting two points each making their campaign safer.
Pakistan had bagged two victories out of three games making their way to the Super 4 stage with 4 points while Sri Lanka, who were part of Group B, claimed all their three matches with ease to move into the next stage of the tournament. The Lankans have been a better side thus far in the tournament having won all their three games while Pakistan have had a topsy-turvy experience especially with rivals India. Sri Lanka has proved to be a much better side in all the departments while Pakistan will have to ponder upon things ahead of the clash.
Head-to-Head
As far as their head-to-head in the shortest format is concerned, Pakistan hold a much better record over Sri Lanka. In a total of 23 T20I matches, Pakistan have won 13 while Sri Lanka have emerged victorious on 8 occasions.
Pitch and weather forecast
The pitch at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi is expected to offer a bit for both the batters and the bowlers. The team winning the toss first should preferably try to bowl and restrict the opposition to a score of 150 maximum as dew is expected to play a role in the second innings. Meanwhile, the team batting first should try to put up a big total on the board.
As far as the weather prediction is concerned, there is no forecast for rain in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. The temperature will be between 31 to 38 degree Celsius but the humidity in the UAE is expected to make things tough for both the sides.
Live Streaming and telecast
The live telecast of the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Asia Cup clash would be available on the Sony Sports Network while the Sony Liv app will provide the live streaming of the game beginning at 8 PM on September 23, Tuesday.
Squads
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis(w), Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka(c), Dasun Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara, Nuwanidu Fernando, Binura Fernando, Chamika Karunaratne, Janith Liyanage, Matheesha Pathirana, Maheesh Theekshana
Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha(c), Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris(w), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Salman Mirza, Sufiyan Muqeem, Khushdil Shah, Hasan Nawaz