Asia Cup 2023: Sri Lanka vs. Pakistan – Dream11 Preview and Predictions

Asia Cup 2023 Match Preview
The upcoming clash in the Asia Cup 2023 Super 4 Tournament will see Sri Lanka facing off against Pakistan. Both teams have recently suffered defeats at the hands of India, making this match a crucial one. The winner of this encounter will earn the opportunity to challenge India in the final showdown.

 Team Analysis
Sri Lanka currently occupies the second spot in the points table due to a superior run rate. Players like Dunit Velales and Charith Asalanka performed admirably in the previous match. On the other hand, Pakistan disappointed their fans in their last outing. Pakistan’s captain, Babar Azam, needs to deliver a strong performance in this match. Notably, in the last five years, these teams have met twice in ODI matches, with Pakistan emerging victorious on both occasions.

Weather and Pitch Conditions

The weather forecast suggests cloudy skies with a chance of light rain, and the temperature is expected to be around 26.7 degrees Celsius.

Regarding the pitch, recent matches have shown it to be favorable for both batsmen and spin bowlers. In the last five matches on this pitch, fast bowlers claimed 38 wickets, while spin bowlers took 44 wickets.

Key Statistics
– Average first innings score: Batting in the first innings has proven challenging, with an average score of 242 runs.
– Records while chasing: Chasing has been relatively easier in the second innings, with a 60 percent success rate in matches played here.

Probable Playing XIs
Pakistan (Probable XI):
– Fakhar Zaman
– Imam-ul-Haq
– Babar Azam (Captain)
– Mohammad Rizwan (Wicketkeeper)
– Agha Salman
– Iftikhar Ahmed
– Shadab Khan
– Faheem Ashraf
– Shaheen Afridi
– Mohammad Wasim
– Haris Rauf

Sri Lanka (Probable XI):
– Pathum Nissanka
– Dimuth Karunaratne
– Kusal Mendis (WK)
– Sadira Samarawickrama
– Charith Asalanka
– Dhananjay de Silva
– Dasun Shanaka (Captain)
– Dunith Velalej
– Mahesh Theekshana
– Kasun Rajitha
– Mathisha Pathirana

 Top Picks for Your Dream11 Team

Sri Lanka
1. Dunith Velalez: In the last match against India, he scored 42 runs and took 5 wickets. In the tournament, he has taken 9 wickets and scored 78 runs. On this ground, he has claimed 11 wickets in 5 matches.
2. Sadira Samarawickrama: An in-form batsman, he has scored 178 runs in 4 matches in this tournament. He is a reliable choice for your dream team.
3. Charith Asalanka: He has also performed well against India, scoring 130 runs and taking 4 wickets. In 11 matches on this ground, he has scored 492 runs and taken 5 wickets.
4. Mathisha Pathirana: A strong performer for Sri Lanka, he has taken 1 wicket in the last match and a total of 8 wickets. On this ground, he has taken 11 wickets in 6 matches.

 Pakistan
1. Haris Rauf: Pakistan’s fast bowler has taken 9 wickets in 4 matches in this tournament, making him a valuable choice for your dream team.
2. Mohammed Rizwan: The wicketkeeper-batsman has scored 136 runs in 5 matches against Sri Lanka and has the potential for a big score.
3. Babar Azam: Pakistan’s captain and leading batsman has scored 496 runs in 10 matches against Sri Lanka. He remains a key player for Pakistan.
4. Shadab Khan: Pakistan’s leading spin bowler has taken 13 wickets in 7 ODI matches against Sri Lanka. He can be a game-changer in this match.

 Captain and Vice-Captain Options

Captain:
– Dunit Velazquez
– Shadab Khan
– Babar Azam

Vice-Captain:
– Haris Rauf
– Shaheen Afridi
– Charith Aslanka

 Dream 11 Team Recommendations

Dream 11 Team 1:

– Wicket Keeper: Kusal Mendis, Mohammad Rizwan
– Batsmen: Sadira Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Babar Azam
– All Rounder: Dunith Velazquez, Shadab Khan, Dhananjay de Silva
– Bowlers: Mahish Theekshana, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi

Dream 11 Team 2:

– Wicket Keeper: Mohammed Rizwan
– Batsmen: Sadira Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Babar Azam
– All Rounder: Dunith Velazquez, Shadab Khan, Dhananjay de Silva
– Bowlers: Mahish Theekshana, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi, Mathisha Pathirana

Expert Advice

Similar to the previous match, this game is likely to be low-scoring. Therefore, selecting five bowlers for your Dream11 team is a prudent decision. Spin bowlers are expected to excel on this pitch.

Probable Winner

Sri Lanka appears to have a stronger and more balanced team, making them the favorites to win this match.