A chance to get the mental edge
The game between Sri Lanka and Pakistan today is a dead rubber in the sense that both teams have already made the final with two wins from two matches in the Super Four stage of the 2022 Asia Cup. However, it will now take prominence as a dress rehearsal for Sunday's final.
The approach of Pakistan's middle and lower-middle order batters and Sri Lanka's middle order is pretty similar, indicating that an interesting battle awaits in the final. Ahead of that, however, the dress rehearsal will provide plenty of information for both teams.
Pakistan's opening duo of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are like opposite sides of the coin at this tournament.
Skipper Babar, who had come into this tournament on the back of three fifties in a series against the Netherlands, has averaged just a touch above eight in the Asia Cup, his form a concern even as Pakistan march on. On the other hand, Rizwan gives the assurance of both scoring at a high rate and carrying his bat deep into the innings. Rizwan will have a big role to play in the upcoming matches.
Sri Lanka's opening duo of Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis are showing a similar mix of styles, starting with both patience and confidence, getting ta measure of the bowling attack and then bringing their flair.
Their batting prowess led them to a win against India, a side with so much batting depth, it seemed improbable that Sri Lanka -- a side that had lost all of their T20I matches during a Covid-affected 2020 -- would get the better of the defending champions, especially in a game that the pre-tournament favourites were desperate to win.
Pakistan's middle-order of Ifthikar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz and Asif Ali are all capable of massive carnage. Sri Lanka's Bhanuka Rajapakse, skipper Dasun Shanaka and Wanindu Hasaranga are capable of similar destruction.
"We are going to take it very seriously because, as you know, Pakistan are one of the best sides in the world. Since we are playing against the same opponents on Sunday, we will take it very seriously," Sri Lanka spin coach Piyal Kashiyapa said in a press conference yesterday.
There is a feeling that the two teams are on equal footing and Sri Lanka it appears are aware of the seriousness needed.
"We will come out with our A game and we will control what we can control and take it from there. The Pakistan team have been winning and so have we. Both the teams are equal," Kashiyapa added.
Asked what it would mean for the team to bring a smile to the country by winning the Asia Cup, Piyal said: "It's been huge [making it to the final]. We've been waiting for this moment for a long time. If we can win this tournament, it will be a huge deal for our country as well. "
The stage is set, it's time for the dress rehearsal and, if it was a battle of nerves as well, both teams have exhibited the presence of mind in the right situation. Pakistan secured a huge win against Afghanistan after number 11 batter Naseem Shah hit two sixes in the final over to ensure a final berth.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will be hoping that pace duo of Dilshan Madushanka and Asitha Fernando can match Naseem's fierceness with the ball. It will be a tight affair ahead of the final and a good dress rehearsal.