ISLAMABAD: Pakistan finds itself in a challenging situation as they gear up to face Sri Lanka in a must-win Super Four match in Colombo today.
What makes this task even more daunting is the absence of their star pacers, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah, a predicament that has left their bowling attack significantly weakened.
Former Indian cricketer Anil Kumble, now a cricket analyst, has weighed in on this crucial fixture, highlighting the pivotal role that Rauf and Shah played in Pakistan’s bowling lineup. Kumble noted Those two were sort of the key bowlers for Pakistan.
He further emphasized the unique strengths of these two pacers. Naseem Shah was lauded for his ability to swing the new ball effectively, while Haris Rauf was considered a potent weapon in the middle and towards the end of an innings. Their absence, particularly in a virtual semi-final like this, could significantly advantage Sri Lanka.
Kumble also delved into the pitch conditions, pointing out that if the wicket mirrors the one used in the Sri Lanka-India match or is anywhere close to it, it could pose a challenge for Pakistan’s faster bowlers, with Shaheen Shah Afridi being the exception.
Highlighting Sri Lanka’s strength in spin bowling, Kumble mentioned that they possess a formidable spin attack, which could prove to be a “crucial factor” in today’s game. Given the skillset and strengths of both teams, Sri Lanka seems to have the upper hand, especially in the absence of Pakistan’s key pacers.
In terms of batting, Kumble pointed out that Pakistan’s top order needs to step up, especially Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. While Babar Azam scored a century in the first game of the Asia Cup 2023, his subsequent performances have been underwhelming. Rizwan, on the other hand, has struggled to make an impact. To succeed against Sri Lanka, Pakistan must rely on their top-order batsmen, much like the Indian top-order did against them.
Kumble also provided insights into Pakistan’s preferred strategy, suggesting that they are a team that usually prefers to bat first and set a target rather than chase one. However, he acknowledged that they did successfully chase down a target against Bangladesh in this competition. Against Sri Lanka, Pakistan would likely opt to bat first and then defend their total.
To bolster their lineup, Pakistan has made five changes to the team that faced India. Mohammad Haris, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim, and Zaman Khan have been brought in, hoping to inject fresh energy and determination into the squad.
As Pakistan braces for this pivotal encounter, their challenge becomes more pronounced without their star pacers. It remains to be seen whether they can overcome these hurdles and secure victory in the crucial Super Four match against Sri Lanka.
