Asia Cup 2023 Final Match: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Preview

India and Sri Lanka will be squaring off in the summit clash of Asia Cup 2023 on September 17, Sunday in Colombo.

Published - 16 Sept 2023, 14:50 IST | Updated - 16 Sept 2023, 15:27 IST

3 Min Read

Six teams participated in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023, and only two remain in the quest to claim continental supremacy. India managed to get through to the Super Four stage with one point coming from a no-result against Pakistan and two coming from a comprehensive win against debutants Nepal. On the other hand, Sri Lanka made it to the Super Fours with consecutive wins against Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

In the Super Four stage, India defeated Pakistan and Sri Lanka to make it to the finals before losing in a dead rubber to Bangladesh. The Lankan Lions joined India in the finals with wins against Bangladesh and Pakistan. Dasun Shanaka's men will collide with Rohit Sharma and Co. in the finals of Asia Cup 2023 on Sunday, September 17, in Colombo in what promises to be a thrilling clash.

Sri Lanka have found a new hero in Dunith Wellalage in the series. The 20-year-old was exceptional in the encounter against India as he picked up a five-for and played impressive innings with the bat. The likes of Sadeera Samarawickrama and Kusal Mendis have also risen up to the occasion. While Kusal has scored 253 runs at 50.60 in five matches, Samarawickrama has amassed 215 at 43 in as many games. Matheesha Pathirana has also been exceptional with the ball, picking 11 wickets at 22.64.

For India, Shubman Gill leads the run-scoring chart with 275 runs from five games at an average of 68.75. In fact, no other batter in this edition of the tournament has scored more runs than him. Rohit Sharma also scored three consecutive half-centuries before being dismissed for a duck in India's most recent game against Bangladesh. Kuldeep Yadav has had the biggest impact with the ball, picking nine wickets in four games at an immaculate average of 11.33. The pace-bowling duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj have also swung the ball upfront and caused a lot of problems for the top-order batters. Ravindra Jadeja has also chipped in with six wickets in five games.

Check: Most Runs in Asia Cup 2023

Pitch and conditions:

Batting hasn't been easy at the R Premadasa Stadium, with the ball stopping on the batters every now and then and spinners getting appreciable turn off the deck. The final is expected to be a low-scoring affair where batters will have to showcase their skills in adverse conditions. With a forecast for rain, the captain winning the toss would be inclined to bowl first.

Probable Playing XI For IND vs SL:

India

The BCCI mentioned that Shreyas Iyer is recovering well but is yet to attain full fitness after suffering a back spasm during the Asia Cup. He might not be fit in time for the final. Axar Patel suffered a niggle during the game against Bangladesh, and Washington Sundar has been called upon as a cover. The off-spinner might get a game, considering the hosts have two few left-handers in their line-up in Kusal Perera and Charith Asalanka.

Probable Playing XI: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur/Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka lost some of their premier bowlers to injuries ahead of Asia Cup 2023. Star all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga and experienced pacers Dushmantha Chameera and Lahiru Kumara were ruled out of the tournament due to injuries. Just when the injury-riddled team was finding its feet, another terrible injury hit the Lankan camp as experienced spinner Maheesh Theekshana injured himself during the virtual semi-final clash against Pakistan. It will be tough for Sri Lanka to replace a player of his stature at such short notice. Leg-spinner Dushan Hemantha is the only other spinner in the side, and he could come in for Theekshana.

Probable Playing XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dunith Wellalage, Dushan Hemantha, Pramod Madushan, Matheesha Pathirana