Pakistan are set to meet red-hot Sri Lanka today in the final of Asia Cup 2022 played in T20 format at Dubai International Stadium. 

Sri Lanka since getting swept away by Afghan Surge in the very first match did not look back. They beat Bangladesh, India, Afghanistan, and Pakistan playing fit for the purpose professional cricket. 

Today they meet Pakistan one of the pre-tournament favorites in search of their 6th Asia cup. Of the 14 times played beyond India won 7, Sri Lanka 5 and Pakistan 2. In matter of experience or comparative quality of Individual players Pakistan may be clear favorites. But it will not be at all easy for Pakistan subduing a team oozing with confidence. 

The 4 wins of Sri Lanka in subsequent matches were not flash in the pan.  Having no star players those India, Pakistan and even Afghanistan possess Sri Lanka with disciplined and calculative team efforts shocked and rocked the cricket world. The final of a global tournament is usually a battle of nervs, doing the right thing at the right time. The Lankan wins have definitely caused experts think several times before even previewing the final. The final is in real term wide open.

Pakistan started the tournament as one of the favorites lost their battle against arch-rival India in the very first match. The qualifier Hong Kong was no match for them. In the group of four they avenged the defeat against India, narrowly beat Afghanistan by the last over heroics by Nasim Shah.  Sri Lanka shocked them with a 5-wicket defeat. That may have rattled them a bit. But Pakistan has enough resilience for regrouping and bouncing back. The final is expected to witness see saw battle.

Pakistan superstar Babar Azam has not yet fired with all cylinders. He might have preserved it for the big occasion. Pakistan’s success hinges on Babar. Rizwan played well so far. It will be his partnership with Babar that would make a huge difference. Fakhar Zaman at three is also due to score big. Iftikhar, Khusuhdil, Shadab are yet to strike form. Pakistan however has very incisive all round bowling attack. Nasim, Harris, Hasnain bowl at express pace. Shadab is a top-quality match-winning spinner, Nawaz is also good spinner. If somehow Pakistan can post at least 170 batting first they have weapons to defend. But scoring 170 overcoming the quality spin attack of the Lankans.

Sri Lanka does not possess batting superstars like India and Pakistan. But they have some budding genius and quality batsmen in Shanaka, Nishanka, Mendis. Hasharanga and Dhanajaya are quality all rounders.  

Pakistan should see the footage of the Sri Lanka first-round match against Afghanistan. The top order was blown away by Fazal Haq Farooki. If Nasim and Rauf can rip through the top order Pakistan can restrict Lankans within a manageable limit. 

All said it will be an even contest. The team holding their nerves at crunch time will win the top honour. 

BDST: 1650 HRS, SEP 11, 2022
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