Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana is set to miss the upcoming fixture against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 Super-4. He missed the team practice sessions during the last two days and is currently under medical treatment.
Sri Lanka started their Asia Cup 2025 Super-4 campaign against Bangladesh, but despite having defeated them in the group-stage game, the Bengal Tigers gave the former champions a major thrashing on Saturday.
The Lankans won the Asia Cup back in 2022, the last time it was played in the T20I format; hence, they can also be said to be the defending champions of the Asia Cup T20s.
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Matheesha Pathirana’s medical bulletin issued; Lankan pacer to miss Pakistan game in Asia Cup 2025
The upcoming match against Pakistan is a very crucial game for both the Pakistanis and the Lankans as well. Sri Lanka would have to win this match in order to survive in the Asia Cup; however, whichever team loses will find themselves in a very tough spot to keep their final hopes alive.
Amid this, Sri Lanka is in the midst of another crisis, as pacer Matheesha Pathirana has been reported to be unwell and hence, not available for selection for the match against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi.
The pacer has not been reported to be injured; there might be some other form of illness as well. However, he missed the previous game against Bangladesh, as Dushmantha Pathirana replaced him in the XI. Currently, he has not taken part in the team practice for the last 2 days and has been under medical treatment.
Nuwan Thushara as the frontline pacer; Dusmantha Chameera or Maheesh Theekshana to replace Pathirana in the XI
Other than the CSK youngster Pathirana, the Lankans also have the likes of other pacers Nuwan Thusara and Dusmantha Chameera. Thusara has been the new ball specialist for the Lankans, and he is also Sri Lanka’s highest wicket-taker in this Asia Cup 2025.
Chameera is also an experienced player and played well in the previous game against Bangladesh. However, since the fixture is against Pakistan and their weakness against spin was exposed when they stood against the Indian spinners, the Lankans might also consider adding another spinner to the side.
Wanindu Hasaranga and Dunith Wellalage are among the frontline spinners, while Kamindu Mendis can add further to it. However, if Maheesh Theekshana is added to the Playing XI, Sri Lanka will have another spinner who can take up the new ball.
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan is almost a do-or-die game
Keeping Sri Lanka out of the game, Pakistan will be citing this game as the most crucial fixture in the Super-4 stage. They will have to win this game to keep their chances alive in the Asia Cup 2025.
Pakistan will have its eyes set on the Asia Cup 2025 final, considering India must be on the other side to qualify for the final. To avail this, they will have to get over the challenge posed by the Island nation and later the Bengal Tigers.
However, if Pakistan loses today’s game, they will have to put an end to their Asia Cup 2025 campaign, with very few chances of qualification left.
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