Asia Cup 2022 Final: Sri Lanka vs Pakistan | Who will be the new Asian champions?

Sri Lanka stamped their authority on Pakistan with a clinical victory in the last Super Four game. An unbeaten run in the penultimate stage makes them favourites to clinch the title for the sixth time. Pakistan, though, are unpredictable and can surprise the hosts.

For better or worse, the toss has been a decisive factor in the UAE.

The final showdown

The 2022 Asia Cup has been a roller-coaster of a ride for Pakistan, but they have beaten the odds and made it to the final, despite being a relatively-less-experienced team. The team management has shown immense confidence in Khushdil Shah and Iftikhar Ahmed. Babar Azam’s 30-run knock against Sri Lanka must have given him confidence as well, although his record against Sri Lanka has not been excellent. In seven matches, he has scored 109 runs at an Average of 18.16. In the UAE, his Average against Sri Lanka further drops down to 10.66. Shadab Khan, who was rested in the previous game, also has a poor record against Sri Lanka. In six matches, the big-hitting all-rounder has scored 22 runs and has picked up just four wickets. Fakhar Zaman is Pakistan’s third impact player with a poor record against Sri Lanka. In six matches, the southpaw has scored 67 runs at an Average of 11.16. Mohammad Rizwan’s performance on top of the order has set the tone for Pakistan, and the team will rely on individual brilliance on Sunday to set the course of the game. 

Sri Lanka have changed their mindset, having had an inspirational run in the tournament. Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis have been the main reason for this change in mindset, as a positive approach at the top of the order has given Sri Lanka the platform to keep up with the asking run rate. Luckily for them, Dasun Shanaka has won all the tosses except for the one in the series opener. However, that is pure luck. Sri Lanka, on average, have lost three wickets during the middle overs, which stops them from launching in the death overs. Skipper Dasun Shanaka, in his last ten games, has scored 298 runs at an Average of 49.67. Maheesh Theekshana has been sensational with the new bowl during the Powerplay overs. He has also been bowling during the death overs and has conceded runs at an Economy Rate of 6.75. Sri Lanka are expected to make no changes to their playing XI. 

Match details

Match: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka
Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium
Date: 11 September 2022
Time: 07:30 PM IST
Where to watch: Star Sports Network | Disney+ Hotstar

Pitch report & Toss

The final will not be played on the same wicket that featured in the last Super Four game between the two sides. The second wicket has a better bounce and offers value for shots to batters. Fast bowlers will have the edge over spinners. 190 looks to be the on-par score. The side winning the toss will most likely opt to bowl first.

Probable playing XIs

Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Babar Azam (c), Fakhar Zaman, Ifthikar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Asif Ali, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Danushka Gunathilaka, Dhananjay de Silva, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Pramod Madushan

Head-to-head

Total played: 22
Sri Lanka won: 14
Pakistan won: 8

Clean hitters

Sri Lanka: Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Kusal Mendis, Dasun Shanaka
Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Asif Ali

Death-over bowlers

Sri Lanka: Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Matheesha Pathirana
Pakistan: Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Hasnain

Fantasy team

Mohammad Rizwan, Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Babar Azam, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Dhananjay de Silva, Chamika Karunaratne, Naseem Shah, Maheesh Theekshana

Captain & Vice-captain picks

Captain: Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Mohammad Rizwan
Vice-captain: Shadab Khan, Dhananjaya de Silva

Prediction

Sri Lanka walks in as favorite to win the Asia Cup for the 7th time. Pakistan, as always, is unpredictable. Toss will be crucial; the chasing side has a great opportunity to clinch the title. I am rooting for Sri Lanka to clinch the championship.