Colombo, September 14, 2023 – The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) faces yet another weather-related challenge as rain is expected to interrupt the crucial match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka today in Colombo. This match is a must-win showdown, determining which team secures a spot in the Asia Cup 2023 final against India, scheduled for Sunday at the same venue.
Weather forecasts predict intermittent rain throughout the day in Colombo, with strong winds adding to the uncertainty. While the rain has temporarily ceased, the weather remains unpredictable.
If today’s match is washed out, Sri Lanka would secure their place in the final due to their superior run rate compared to Pakistan. Rain has already played a disruptive role in this tournament, affecting all of Pakistan’s games in the island nation.
Adding to Pakistan’s challenges, the team has undergone significant changes, including the inclusion of several new players. This was necessitated by injuries to key players such as Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, and Salman Ali Agha during the ongoing tournament.
Despite these setbacks, Pakistan’s bowling coach Morne Morkel expressed optimism about the new talent stepping up, referring to the injuries as a “big blow” but also a “fantastic opportunity” for the emerging players.
“After going down against India, it’s a must-win game for us, and I’m quite excited to see the new guys stepping in, to see their character, to see how they respond,” Morkel stated, highlighting the positive outlook within the team.
One such promising addition to the squad is 22-year-old Zaman Khan, who gained fame for his standout performances in this year’s Pakistan Super League (PSL) for the Lahore Qalandars.
Morkel praised Zaman Khan, saying, “I’m excited just to work with him, connect with them and build that relationship and help him develop because he’s a match winner.”
Pakistan’s pace attack, led by Shaheen Shah Afridi, made a strong impression against India in the Asia Cup group match, which was cut short by rain. However, they faced a tough challenge in their last encounter with India, who posted a formidable 356-2 in a rain-affected match played over two days.
Morkel acknowledged the learning experience from the loss to India, emphasizing the importance of facing tough situations ahead of the World Cup and commending Shaheen Shah Afridi as “world-class.”
Despite criticism regarding Pakistan’s lack of quality spinners on Sri Lankan wickets, Morkel affirmed that the slow bowlers are prepared to deliver. Pakistan has made several changes to their lineup compared to the match against India, introducing Mohammad Haris, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim, and Zaman Khan.
Pakistan XI: Mohammad Haris, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (capt), Mohammad Rizwan (wkt), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan (vice-capt), Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Wasim, Zaman Khan.
As the cricket world watches with bated breath, the fate of Pakistan’s journey in the Asia Cup 2023 hinges on their performance in this high-stakes match against Sri Lanka, amidst the ever-unpredictable Colombo weather.
