SL vs PAK: Pakistan Playing XI vs Sri Lanka, Asia Cup 2023, Super Four Match 5 - Predicted 

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Super Four match of Asia Cup 2023 to take place on 14th in Colombo.

Team India have dominated the super four stage of Asia Cup 2023 and beaten two finalists from the last edition quite comprehensively. With two big wins, India have qualified for the finals of the tournament, which will take place on September 17. Bangladesh are already out of the race. Now only two teams are left who will fight for a place in the finals.

It will be Sri Lanka against Pakistan, and that game will decide the second-place finalists of the tournament. That game will take place on Thursday in Colombo and will be a knockout match. After a heavy defeat, Pakistan will look to bounce back and win the game to qualify for the finals. Here we will talk about the predicted playing XI for Pakistan against Sri Lanka.

SL vs PAK: Pakistan's Predicted Playing XI vs Sri Lanka

1. Mohammad Haris :

After poor outings in the Asia Cup 2023, Fakhar Zaman has been dropped from the playing XI. He will be replaced by Mohammad Haris. The 22-year-old is an aggressive opener who loves to take on bowling. Haris can be a great addition to the playing XI, as he can put pressure on the opposition from the start.

2. Imam-ul-Haq :

Imam-ul-Haq is another big name in Pakistan's top-order. He is in form but couldn't do well in this tournament. Imam has scored 92 runs in four innings at 30.66. But he can be as consistent as Babar Azam on the team. The left-hander has been scoring runs in the last year or so.

3. Babar Azam (C) :

The Pakistani skipper, Babar Azam, will be the biggest name from both teams that will play in the game. He needs no introduction to any situation. He has been at the top of the ODI rankings for more than two years now and also won the "player of the month" award recently. All the achievements show the stature of this guy. Babar will be the biggest threat to Sri Lanka.

4. Mohammad Rizwan (wk) :

Mohammed Rizwan is another in-form player who has done well in this competition. He has scored 109 runs in three innings at an average of 54.50 and helped his team win two games unbeaten. Against India, he got a peach of a delivery from Shardul Thakur and got out. But he can be the game-changer in the middle-order for Pakistan.

5. Saud Shakeel :

Saud Shakeel has been going through a dream run in Test cricket. Since his debut, he has scored a half-century in every test match he has played, which speaks volumes about his ability. He has played six ODIs and scored 76 runs, and he will replace injured Agha Salman. Pakistan will hope he can carry his form into the ODIs.

6. Iftikhar Ahmed :

Iftikhar Ahmed has been the go-to man for Pakistan in crisis. The veteran batter is a big hitter and can bowl some useful overs in the middle. He can play well against both spin and pace, which makes him a difficult batter to bowl at. Pakistan played three ODIs earlier against Sri Lanka, and he did well against them, so he will be confident to do well again.

7. Shadab Khan :

Shadab Khan has been disappointing this tournament with both the bat and the ball. The vice-captain has underperformed in Asia Cup 2023, but he is a key figure in the team and a match-winner. Shadab can be tricky to get away from on a turning pitch, and his batting skills have always helped the team in the lower order.

8. Mohammad Nawaz :

The Colombo pitch offers a great spin, as we saw in the IND-SL game, so Pakistan are likely to bring in Mohammad Nawaz in place of Faheem Ashraf. Nawaz can offer them ten overs and can bat better than a few in the team. On the track, he can become a headache for the opposition; that's what Pakistan will expect from him.

9. Shaheen Afridi :

It wasn't a good day against India for the Pakistani bowlers, including Shaheen Afridi, but a new match will bring new opportunities, and everyone knows how dangerous Shaheen is with the new ball. The ace pacer needs to leave the last game behind and bowl in the right area. And if he can bowl at his best, Sri Lanka will be in trouble for sure at the start.

10. Zaman Khan :

Unfortunately for Pakistan, Naseem Shah has been ruled out of the Asia Cup due to injury. But Zaman Khan has joined the team, and he will play against Sri Lanka. Zaman has already played six T20Is for Pakistan and has been a consistent performer at the domestic level. Like Naseem, he also bowls at a consistent pace and is a hit-the-deck-hard bowler. He can be a surprise package against Sri Lanka.

11. Mohammad Wasim Jnr. :

Haris Rauf will also not be part of the playing XI with injury. Mohammad Wasim Jr. will replaced him in the playing XI. The 22-year-old can also bat and has smashed a few big hits that will provide Pakistan with an extra batting option. But he is a brilliant bowler who can swing the ball both ways, which makes him a difficult bowler to face. He has already taken 24 wickets in just 15 ODIs.