Pakistan and Sri Lanka clash in Asia cup final today

• Sri Lanka will play 11th final in Asia Cup.
• Pakistan will play their fifth final in Asia Cup. 
• Sri Lanka won the Asia Cup five times.
• Pakistan won the Asia Cup twice. 
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Pakistan and Sri Lanka will clash today [Sunday] in the Asia Cup 2022 title decider at the Dubai Worldwide Arena.

A day prior to the final, the two teams rested without cricket activity. Pakistan will have two changes in the group for the final. Shadab Khan and Naseem Shah, who were rested for the Super Four match versus Sri Lanka, will be included in the team. In the Super Four match, Hassan Ali and Usman Qadir played in their place.

Meanwhile sources say that the Pakistan team management is agitated about the lack of runs from Fakhar Zaman and the center order.

Playing their eleventh final of the Asia Cup, the Islanders will make every effort to lift the trophy for the 6th time. Pakistan has reached at the final of the cricket contest for the fifth time and is looking great to win the prize for the third time.

Pakistan lost an experience with Sri Lanka in the previous match by five wickets. However, head coach Saqlain Mushtaq made light of the loss, saying Pakistan are eyeing the big picture — winning the Asia Cup trophy.

“We just wanted to try a few things as our attention is focused on the final. You would see a different Pakistan team than what you saw the other day in a relatively insignificant match. Every player would perform at his optimal level in the final as all our energies are focused on winning the Cup,” he said.

Captain Babar Azam energized the colleagues, 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.”

He appreciated Naseem Shah, saying, his “two sixes against Afghanistan reminded us of Javed Miandad’s heroics.”

Babar additionally connected high importance to winning the toss as per him, the team batting second generally has the benefit in Dubai. “I feel that the toss will have its role in the outcome of the match,” he said.

Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka said Pakistan is an extremely competent group. Shadab Khan said, “When we lost the first match of the tournament against India, we were confident we would rise. And rise we did. Rizwan played exceptionally well against Hong Kong, followed by a comprehensive bowling display that helped us earn a confidence-boosting win. Nawaz demonstrated superior all-around skills against India in the Super-4 match, and although I was the player of the match against Afghanistan, those two sixes by Naseem Shah will be eternally remembered.”

Squads [Likely to be]:

Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Babar Azam (c), Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Asif Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan (vc), 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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