Srinagar: Like previous matches Pakistan have once again announced its Playing Eleven one day before the match.
For their must-win Asia Cup 2023 Super 4 clash against the defending champions Sri Lanka at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on 14 September, Thursday, Pakistan announced the team on Wednesday.
Pacer Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf picked up niggles during Pakistan’s 228-run loss to India on Monday and are no certainty to recover in time for the side’s final match of the Super Four stage against Sri Lanka on Thursday, states ICC.
For the crucial Sri Lanka match, Pakistan have made five changes. Mohammad Haris, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr. and Zaman Khan will take the places of Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah.
Unfortunately for Pakistan, three of their players, Salman Ali Agha, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf suffered injuries during the game against India. Pakistan had to call Zaman Khan and Shahnawaz Dahani as back-up.
Zaman reached Colombo earlier today and has joined the team. He will make his international debut in the 50-over format.
The magnitude of Pakistan’s loss to India saw Babar Azam’s side slip to third place on the current Super Four table, meaning a win is likely to be required in that match against Sri Lanka to book a place in this year’s final.