The Pakistan middle-order collapsed before Sri Lanka’s bowling attack as four batsmen were dismissed within three overs, bringing the team in a difficult position to post a competitive total in the Asia Cup Super Four match on Friday.
By 18th over, Pakistan have scored 110 runs for eight wickets. Khushdil was caught by an agile Nissanka before the ball could make it to the boundary. He was soon followed by Iftikhar and Asif Ali, who were bowled out cheaply by Harasanga de Silva.
The average target that teams have been setting in the tournament is 170 runs, which have been chased thrice by a resurgent Sri Lanka.
Earlier, Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to field. Skipper Dasun Shanaka said he would field at the Dubai International Stadium.
Sri Lanka are approaching this match from a high after delivering an upset to India in their Super Four clash, with their resurgence credited to Mendis’ cool-headed leadership.
Pakistan, on the other hand, defeated Afghanistan with back-to-back sixes in the final over by last-man-standing Naseem Shah, who was left to rescue the team after the top order crumbled in the face of a dogged Afghan bowling attack.
Both teams have already booked their place in Sunday’s final and play the last Super Four match of the tournament, which serves as a precursor to the T20 World Cup in October-November.
The flags of all six participating nations and the United Arab Emirates flew at half-mast to mark the death of Queen Elizabeth II, who died Thursday.
Sri Lanka have made two changes from their previous win over India, who bowed out of the tournament with two losses in the Super Four, with Dhananjaya de Silva and debutant Pramod Madushan added to the team.
“Been lucky with the toss, you never know what will happen,” said Shanaka. “But it’s been our charm to bowl first. It’s good we are playing Pakistan once before the final.”
Pakistan, who won a thriller against Afghanistan on Wednesday to book their final berth, have also made two changes.
“We would have also bowled first,” said skipper Babar Azam.
“Two changes – Shadab (Khan) and Naseem (Shah) are not playing, Usman Qadir and Hasan Ali are in.”
Pakistan XI: 1 Babar Azam (captain), 2 Mohammad Rizwan, 3 Fakhar Zaman, 4 Iftikhar Ahmed, 5 Khushdil Shah, 6 Asif Ali, 7 Mohammad Nawaz, 8 Haris Rauf, 9 Mohammad Hasnain, 10 Usman Qadir, 11 Hasan Ali
Sri Lanka XI: 1 Pathum Nissanka, 2 Kusal Mendis (wk), 3 Dhananjaya de Silva, 4 Danushka Gunathilaka, 5 Bhanuka Rajapaksa, 6 Dasun Shanaka (capt), 7 Wanindu Hasaranga, 8 Chamika Karunaratne, 9 Pramod Madushan, 10 Maheesh Theekshana, 11 Dilshan
