Injury-Hit Pakistan Faces Resilient Sri Lanka in Decisive Match

COLOMBO: An Injury-Hit Pakistan will lock horns with a resilient Sri Lanka on Thursday in a high-stakes showdown, with the winner earning a spot in the final of the Asia Cup one-day cricket tournament.

With both Pakistan and Sri Lanka tallying two points each, Thursday's fixture has transformed into a knockout match, determining the finalist for the match on September 17. India has already secured its final berth by defeating Sri Lanka by 41 runs in the Super Four match on Tuesday, maintaining its top position with four points.

Pakistan's campaign has been marred by injuries, and there is uncertainty surrounding the participation of their leading fast bowlers, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah, in the crucial encounter against Sri Lanka. As a precaution, Pakistan has included Shahnawaz Dahani and Zaman Khan in the squad as backup options, with the 22-year-old Dahani known for his impressive pace, reaching speeds of up to 150 km per hour.

However, injuries are not the only concern for Pakistan. Their batting lineup has struggled to meet expectations throughout the tournament. Despite posting a formidable 342 for six against Nepal in their opening Asia Cup match in Multan, Pakistan's batsmen have found it challenging to consistently put up significant scores.

On the other hand, Sri Lanka has demonstrated resilience and the ability to offer a stern challenge to Pakistan. Although Pakistan secured a seven-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the league stage, previous results may hold little significance in Thursday's clash.