Pakistan have announced their playing XI for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 Super Four encounter against Sri Lanka on Thursday, September 14 in Colombo. The Babar Azam-led side have made five changes to their playing XI after the embarrassing loss against India, out of which two were forced and the rest are presumed to be tactical.


The Pakistan setup has finally left out Zaman as the left-handed opener hasn’t been firing for some time now as he has not crossed 35 in his last nine innings and has averaged a paltry 20.67 at a miserable strike rate of 66.67. Zaman has now been replaced with Mohammad Haris who is young to the international circuit.


Salman Ali Agha, who copped a blow to his face while playing against India, is also out from the playing XI, with Saud Shakeel replacing him. Pakistan has brought in left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz back into the playing XI in place of pace-bowling all-rounder Faheem Ashraf. This move could come after they saw Dunith Wellalage and Kuldeep Yadav spin circles around the opposition batsmen in the last game in Colombo. 


Two third of Pakistan’s primary pace-bowling battery, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah sustained injuries during the Super Four encounter against India. Naseem Shah is already out of the tournament and his replacement, Zaman Khan, will take his place in the playing XI as well. Haris Rauf has sustained a side strain and will be out of the do-or-die clash, with Mohammad Wasim Jr. taking his place in the playing XI. Rauf will hope that the injury is not that serious and be back for the final if they qualify.


Pakistan has two points from two matches in the Super Fours stage and needs a win over Sri Lanka to meet India in the final for the first time in the competition's 39-year-old history on Sunday, September 17. If the game is washed out, Sri Lanka will progress into the finals by virtue of a superior net run rate.


Pakistan Playing 11:
Mohammad Haris, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, and Zaman Khan.