PAK vs SL, Asia Cup 2023: Unlucky Pakistan forced to make changes to pre-announced playing 11 in must-win game

Add as a preferred source on Google

Pakistan, who lost their premier pacers Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah to injuries during their last match against India, were forced to make a couple of more changes to their pre-announced playing eleven in their must win Super Fours match against Sri Lanka on Thursday.

On the eve of the match, Pakistan announced their playing 11 and included Mohammad Haris, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim and Zaman Khan in place of Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah.

However, captain Babar Azam announced a couple of changes to the pre-announced playing eleven after winning the toss and electing to bat first. He revealed that out-of-form Fakhar Zaman had made his way back into the eleven after a back spasm issue with Imam-ul-Haq. Babar added that Shakeel will miss out due to fever and will be replaced by Abdullah Shafique.

Pakistan have to win their match against Sri Lanka to qualify for the Asia Cup 2023 final. Sri Lanka will pip Pakistan even if the match is abandoned without any result due to rain.

The high-pressure match at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo was reduced to a 50-over per-side affair after the start was delayed by over two hours due to rain.

Pakistan Playing XI as announced on the eve of the match against Sri Lanka: Mohammad Haris, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (captain), Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim, Shaheen Afridi, Zaman Khan.

Pakistan's final playing XI vs Sri Lanka: Fakhar Zaman, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Haris, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Zaman Khan