COLOMBO: The weather continues to be a headache for the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), with rain likely to hamper today’s must-win match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Colombo.
The winning team today will qualify for the Asia Cup 2023 final against India scheduled on Sunday at the same venue.
The rain has stopped in Colombo at the moment, strong winds are blowing in the city. Apart from this, intermittent rain is predicted throughout the day.
If today’s match goes through, Sri Lanka will book their place in the final as their run rate is higher than the green shirts.
This is not the first match of the tournament that has been affected by rain. Earlier, all the games Pakistan played in the peninsular country were affected by heavy rains.
Moreover, the Green Shirts have made wholesale changes in the team including several new players after Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Salman Ali Agha were injured during the ongoing tournament.
However, Pakistan bowling coach Morne Morkel said the injury to his premier pacers was a major setback ahead of the match but a “fantastic opportunity” for the upcoming talent.
“A big blow, to pick up those little niggles, but what a fantastic opportunity for the boys to come up with things like that,” former South African fast bowler Morkel told reporters.
“After the loss against India, it’s a must-win for us tomorrow and I’m excited to see the new boys step in, see their character, see how they react.”
Zaman Khan is all set to make his ODI debut tomorrow 🙌#PAKvSL | #AsiaCup2023 pic.twitter.com/c2LzkYyVxm
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 13, 2023
Zaman Khan, 22, has flown in from Pakistan and is already a household name in national cricket after his heroics for champions Lahore Qalandars in this year’s PSL.
Morkel said of the paceman who defended his last over for 13 runs in Lahore’s title defense, saying, “I just want to work with him, connect Hari with him and Excited to build this relationship and help it grow. Weather
Shaheen Shah Afridi spearheads Pakistan’s pace attack that rattled India in their Asia Cup group match, which ended after just one innings.
But Shaheen and Co. took the hammer in their last meeting with India, scoring 356-2 in a match played over two days due to rain.
Morkel said India’s 228-run defeat was a good learning experience ahead of the 50-over showpiece event where they meet their arch-rivals on October 14.
“These are fantastic lessons for us,” said Morkel, who described Shaheen as “world class”.
“The more difficult conditions we can face going into the World Cup, it’s fantastic. You know, we’ll get through it and then come back stronger.”
Critics have pointed to Pakistan’s lack of quality spinners as a major handicap in turning Sri Lanka’s wickets around, but Morkel insists the slower bowlers must be ready to perform.
Pakistan made five changes to their team that lost to India with Mohammad Haris, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim and Zaman.
Pakistan XI: Muhammad Haris, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (captain), Muhammad Rizwan (wicket), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Muhammad Nawaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Muhammad Wasim, Zaman Khan
