Sri Lanka is prepared to shock Pakistan in the Asia Cup final on Sunday after a tournament-long pattern of defeating titans despite internal problems. The island nation’s plans to host the Twenty20 competition had to be abandoned due to political unrest, and they lost their opening match to Afghanistan by eight wickets with little under ten overs remaining. The five-time champions rallied back to overcome Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and tournament favorites India, preventing a highly anticipated finals meeting between Rohit Sharma’s squad and old rivals Pakistan.
For the Dubai final, the final Super Four game on Friday functioned as a warm-up. And Sri Lanka triumphed for the fourth straight match despite Pakistan being without two of its finest players.
They will depend on the spin team of Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana on Sunday after helping them defeat Pakistan by five wickets on Friday by bowling them out for 121.
The batting onslaught was led by Pathum Nissanka, who opened with an unbeaten 55 in a brilliant performance. However, skipper Dasun Shanaka warned his team not to get too complacent.
Shanaka told reporters that despite having won four straight matches, “We still don’t take Pakistan lightly in the final.
Given that they are a very skilled squad with enough strong players to make a great comeback, we should be ready for it.
Two Test matches they recently played at home against Pakistan. Sri Lanka played admirably in Galle against the backdrop of a tough economic downturn and political unrest.
Shanaka claimed that his squad had received “messages of love and support” and that their Asia Cup victory had brought cheer home after awful months of blackouts, fuel shortages, and protests.
He said, “It’s terrific that we are succeeding and helping people.
Pakistan is experiencing issues of its own with monsoon floods engulfing a third of the nation.
The team’s captain, Babar Azam, had a dismal batting average for the tournament of just 30. Mohammad Rizwan is the only player who continuously performs well, with 226 runs in five games.
Coach Saqlain Mushtaq said he has complete faith in his team to perform despite Azam’s “unlucky” streak.
He said, “In the most recent game against India, we pursued and batted superbly.
Because things are moving in the right way, we are confident.
Despite the possibility that Pakistan’s most recent loss to Sri Lanka has reversed their rising trend. Fans were reassured by Saqlain that the team would take Friday’s game as a lesson.
“I will talk about issues in the locker room,” Saqlain said. However, Sri Lanka will enter the title game with assurance and Pakistan with knowledge and vigor.
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