The fifteenth edition of the Asia Cup is all set to end on Sunday (September 11) with a final match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Both teams started their Asia Cup Cricket 2022 campaigns with a defeat before winning three consecutive matches to earn a spot in the final. Pakistan and Sri Lanka met each other on Friday, which was considered a dress rehearsal for the championship match. The Lankan side won the contest quite comprehensively by 5 wickets with 18 balls remaining and completed their four wins on the trot. The Pakistan vs Sri Lanka championship match preview in Asia Cup 2022 is discussed in this article.

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka: H2H Twenty20 International Statistics

Pakistan and Sri Lanka have often played against each other in the T20 format. Both sides have met each other on 22 occasions in the twenty20 format so far. Pakistan have led head-to-head contests with 13 wins, while Sri Lanka have won 9 matches. Overall, Pakistan have won four bilateral series, while Sri Lanka have won only one in 2019 and two ended in a draw. Let’s have a look at some notable Twenty20 International records between these two sides.

Read Asia Cup 2022: SWOT Analysis of Bangladesh National Men’s T20 Cricket Squad

Noteworthy Pakistan vs Sri Lanka T20I statistics (as on September 9, 2022)

   Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/

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Asia Cup Cricket 2022 Final: Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Match Preview

Prior to the Asia Cup 2022, India and Pakistan were overwhelmingly favourites to be the finalists. Despite a dominant start to the tournament, India failed to live up to the expectations in the Super Four Round and finished third in the points table with one win. Pakistan, on the other hand, have shown good performances in the competition and secured a place in the final by winning two matches in the Super Four.

However, Sri Lanka have surprised everyone with their consistency and improvement since losing horribly to Afghanistan in the tournament opener. The Lankan side have remained undefeated in their last four games and finished first in the points table with three wins. 

The Asia Cup Cricket 2022 final match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka will start at 8 p.m. (Bangladesh Standard Time) on Sunday (September 11) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Both teams have played plenty of matches at this venue and have decent records.

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Pakistan and Sri Lanka’s T20I records at the DICS (as on September 9, 2022)

    Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/

Read: Asia Cup: Sri Lanka beat Pakistan in dead rubber before final

Pakistan

Captain Babar Azam’s form has been the major concern for the Pakistan campaign. His last five innings were 10,9,14,0, and 30. Because of Babar's poor form with the bat, Mohammad Rizwan is carrying extra responsibility in the top order. The Pakistan captain looked solid against Sri Lanka in the last match of the Super Four round, but the strike was very poor. Besides, except for Mohammad Nawaz, Pakistan’s middle order hasn’t performed well so far in the competition. They need to find a solution to deal with the Lankan spinners in the middle-overs in the final match.

Pakistan's bowling has been impressive and contributed significantly to most of the team’s wins. Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Shadab Khan, and Mohammad Nawaz have all done their jobs properly and will be eager to continue their good work in the championship contest.

Probable Playing XI

Top-Order: Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Babar Azam (captain), Fakhar Zaman, 

Middle-Order: Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Asif Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, 

Lower-Order: Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah.

Read Asia Cup 2022: Live streaming TV channels, online platforms to watch from Bangladesh

Sri Lanka

The Sri Lankan team looked vulnerable in their opening match of the Asia Cup Cricket 2022. However, they made a strong comeback in their second encounter against Bangladesh to earn a place in the Super Four round. Since then, the Lankan players have shown magnificent consistency in their performances. Apparently, no major issue has appeared to be solved on the Sri Lankan side.

However, they need to be aware of the fact that Pakistan is a very dangerous limited-overs side and have the ability to destroy any opposition on their day. Sri Lanka is unlikely to make any changes for the championship game.

Probable Playing XI

Top-Order: Kusal Mendis (wicket-keeper), Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, 

Middle-Order: Danushka Gunathilaka, Dasun Shanaka (captain,), Dhananjaya de Silva, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Chamika Karunaratne, 

Lower-Order: Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka.

Read Asia Cup: Pakistan choose to bowl against Afghanistan in 'anybody's game'

The Weather and Pitch Report for the Asia Cup 2022 Final

Dubai's weather will be hot and sunny on Sunday, with a probability of temperatures reaching close to 40 degrees Celsius. The toss-winning captain is anticipated to chase in the championship match because fielding first has recently benefited by winning the majority of T20I matches in Dubai.

Verdict

The Sri Lankan team at the moment has the confidence in themselves to go out and perform to defeat Pakistan in the Asia Cup Cricket 2022 championship game. The Pakistani team, on the other hand, is just as competitive and capable of competing bravely against the Lankan team to win the fifteenth edition of the Asia Cup. Overall, the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka final match on Sunday in Dubai promises to be an exciting one.