Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka said that his team has got the bowlers to deliver in today’s Asia Cup cricket final against Pakistan in Dubai.
“Our bowling combination starting with left arm fast bowling, the off-spinner, leg spinner and variations can challenge any kind of batting line-up and that is a good advantage for us. Our spinners and pacemen have proved their ability”, said Shanaka.
He said beating Pakistan in the last Super Four match on Friday gave the team good momentum to go forward in the final.
Shanaka also said that picking up wickets with the new ball will be crucial in the final.
Sri Lanka began their Asia Cup 2022 campaign losing to Afghanistan but they haven’t looked back since completing a stunning win over Bangladesh in a must-win group-stage match. Sri Lanka were not considered favourites before the start of the Asia Cup but have come out as a rejuvenated unit, finding new heroes in every match.
Spinners Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana accounted for five wickets in the last match against Pakistan while left arm paceman Dilshan Madushanka has been the find of the tournament.
“In the previous games I went for some runs but I am happy to come back strongly and get some good quality wickets. I try to bowl dot balls at the start,” said Hasaranga.
Pakistan will be hoping their star batters Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam will fire in the final.
Azam said taking wickets with the new ball will be crucial for Pakistan.
“If we can get a couple of early wickets in the final it will be good for us,” said Azam.
He said leg spinner Shadab Khan and fast bowler Naseem Shah will return to the side for today’s match.