Asia Cup 2023: Zaman Khan to make debut as Pakistan announce playing XI for Sri Lanka match

Pakistan have announced their playing XI for the must-win Super Four match against Sri Lanka on Thursday in Asia Cup 2023. The Men in Green have made five changes to their team that lost to India with Mohammad Haris, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim, and Zaman Khan coming in for Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah. Right-arm fast bowler Zaman is set to make his ODI debut as Naseem Shah has been ruled out of the tournament due to a shoulder injury.

Salman Ali Agha and Haris Rauf also suffered injuries in Pakistan’s last game against India and will be missing the Sri Lanka game. India have already qualified for the Asia Cup final, while Bangladesh have been knocked out. The winner from the game between Sri Lanka and Pakistan will face India in the final, however, if rain washes out the game then Sri Lanka will progress as they have a better net run rate than Pakistan. Sri Lanka have an NRR of -0.2, while Pakistan’s NRR is -1.892. The weather forecast for Colombo where the match will take place is not very encouraging. The weather prediction is for rain and thunderstorms with a 93% chance of showers. Pakistan XI: Mohammad Haris, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (capt), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan (vice-capt), Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Wasim, Zaman Khan