Matchup: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka
Event: T20 Asia Cup 2025 Super Fours
Date & Time: Tuesday, September 23 at 6:30 PM local time (14:30 GMT)
Venue: Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Coverage: Al Jazeera Sport will begin live pre-match coverage from 11:00 GMT, followed by detailed ball-by-ball text commentary throughout the game.
In a crucial Super Fours encounter at the T20 Asia Cup 2025, Pakistan and Sri Lanka face off in Abu Dhabi, both aware that defeat could severely impact their chances of advancing to the final.
Having both stumbled in their initial Super Fours matches, these two former champions are eager to bounce back and keep their title hopes alive. The top two teams from this round-robin stage will secure spots in the final scheduled for Sunday in Dubai.
Currently, Bangladesh and India lead the group with two points each, having defeated Sri Lanka and Pakistan respectively. Sri Lanka, six-time champions, narrowly lost to Bangladesh by four wickets in a thrilling contest on Saturday, while Pakistan suffered a second consecutive loss after India outplayed them on Sunday.
Led by Charith Asalanka, Sri Lanka enters this match as favorites, having maintained an unbeaten record in Group B and holding a psychological edge with five straight T20I wins over Pakistan.
For Pakistan, two-time Asia Cup winners, this game represents an opportunity to regain confidence and pride following their recent heavy defeats to their archrivals.
Key Players to Watch: Pakistan
- Fakhar Zaman: Returning after a lengthy injury hiatus, the experienced opener has yet to consistently deliver big scores but is known for unsettling bowlers once settled. His ability to anchor the innings could be pivotal in setting or chasing a competitive total.
- Abrar Ahmed: The leg-spinner, distinguished by his glasses, has been Pakistan’s most frugal bowler in the tournament. Although he has claimed only four wickets in four matches, his disciplined bowling often pressures batsmen into risky shots against other bowlers, making him a vital asset.
Key Players to Watch: Sri Lanka
- Pathum Nissanka: The Sri Lankan opener is in remarkable form, scoring at least 30 runs in 16 of his last 25 T20I innings with a strike rate of 124. In this Asia Cup, he ranks second in runs scored with 146 from four games, trailing only India’s Abhishek Sharma.
- Wanindu Hasaranga: Despite battling injuries, the leg-spinning all-rounder remains crucial to Sri Lanka’s plans. He has taken five wickets in five matches at an economy rate below six and thrives against Pakistan, having taken 14 wickets and scored 61 runs in five encounters.
Super Fours Standings and Qualification Outlook
India currently tops the Super Fours table with two points and a net run rate (NRR) of 0.689, closely followed by Bangladesh, who also have two points but a lower NRR of 0.121.
The victor of Tuesday’s clash could move anywhere from first to third place depending on their NRR, while the defeated side will still have a chance to qualify but must secure a commanding win in their final match and rely on favorable outcomes elsewhere.
Points Table 📊
The Super 4️⃣s have kicked off with excitement, as 🇮🇳 and 🇧🇩 clinch key victories in their rivalry matches, occupying the top positions.#DPWorldAsiaCup2025 #ACC pic.twitter.com/eRw9yRHzco
– AsianCricketCouncil (@ACCMedia1) September 22, 2025
Head-to-Head: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka in T20 Internationals
Although Pakistan leads the overall T20I series against Sri Lanka, the latter has dominated the format over the past six years.
Out of 23 encounters, Pakistan has triumphed 13 times, but their last victory over Sri Lanka in T20Is dates back to 2019.
Pakistan’s Recent Form
Pakistan’s performance in the Asia Cup has been inconsistent, with wins against lower-ranked teams Oman and UAE but defeats in both matches against defending champions India.
Predicting which version of Pakistan will show up remains a challenge for fans and analysts alike.
Last five results (most recent first): Loss, Win, Loss, Win, Win
Sri Lanka’s Recent Form
Before their Super Fours setback against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka had swept all three Group B matches. Their 2025 T20I record is mixed, including a 2-1 series win over Zimbabwe and a 2-1 series loss to Bangladesh.
Last five results (most recent first): Loss, Win, Win, Win, Win
Pakistan Team Updates
Pakistan’s squad has seen several changes throughout the tournament, with mixed results. The omission of aggressive batsman Hasan Nawaz for the recent game against India sparked debate, especially as his replacement Hussain Talat failed to make a significant impact.
Captain Salman Agha’s side has alternated between deploying two spinners and relying more on pace bowlers.
For the clash against Sri Lanka, Nawaz and spinner Sufiyan Muqeem are expected to return.
Projected XI: Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha (captain), Mohammad Haris (wicketkeeper), Hasan Nawaz/Hussain Talat, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi/Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed, Sufiyan Muqeem
Sri Lanka Team Updates
Lower-order batsman Kamil Mishara’s place in the lineup is under review due to his low strike rate and modest scores in recent matches. Janith Liyanage is a likely candidate to replace him for Tuesday’s game.
Projected XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wicketkeeper), Kamil Mishara/Janith Liyanage, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka (captain), Dasun Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara
