Asia Cup 2022: Pakistan, Sri Lanka to lock horns in exciting title decider today

KARACHI: Pakistan and Sri Lanka will square off in what is anticipated to be an exciting T20 Asia Cup 2022 final clash at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday (today).

The high-octane clash will kick of at 07:00 PM (PST).

Pakistan lost to Sri Lanka by five wickets in their last Super Four clash of the Asian event on Friday.

The day before the final game, neither team trained and rested. Two changes are expected Pakistan squad as Naseem Shah and Shadab Khan, who were rested for the Super Four game against Sri Lanka, will replace Hasan Ali and Usman Qadir.

According to sources, the middle order and Fakhar Zaman have been consistently failing to score runs, which has caused a headache for the team management.

The Island nation will give it their all to win the Asia Cup trophy for the sixth time as they compete in their 11th final. Pakistan have advanced to the cricket competition's final five times and is well-positioned to win the trophy for the third time.

Meanwhile, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam, who has been having a dismal tournament, played a decent inning against Sri Lanka on Friday, scoring 30 runs in 29 balls, and he would be key for the Green Shirts today.

On the other hand, Kusal Mendis and Bhanuka Rajapaksa are in fine form and have had a sensational Asia Cup so far. The two batters will look to continue their delightful run in the mega final.

Head to Head in Asia Cup finals:

Pakistan and Sri Lanka have crossed swords three times in the Asian event, with the Lankan Tigers winning two times while the Green Shirts managed to win on just one occasion. Considering this, the Dasun Shanaka-led team surely have the upper hand in the contest.

Overall record in finals:

Talking about the overall record in the continental cup, Sri Lanka again have the upper hand as they have played 11 finals out of the 14 finals of the event.

The Island nation has won the event five times and will be looking to add the sixth title to their trophy cabinet. However, the Men in Green have only managed to win the title just two times after playing four finals.

Captain Babar Azam encouraged the team members, saying, "I am lucky to captain a team that is full of potential. Every player is a matchwinner. We see a new Man of the Match in every match."

Meanwhile, vice-captain Shadab said: "We would like to win this tournament to bring lively smiles back on the faces of the people affected by the flood."

While Sri Lanka skipper Shanaka said that the team is brimming with confidence after four consecutive wins in the Super Four.

"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."

Possible playing XIs:

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

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

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