Both Sri Lanka and Pakistan eye to have a match practice for the World T20 when they meet in an Asia Cup match today at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
With both teams being eliminated from the final race following their loss to Bangladesh, the match between them has just an academic interest. Bangladesh and India have already reached the Asia Cup final, scheduled to be held on Sunday.
That the fixture is a dead rubber might be disappointing in the context of the tournament, but it’s important for both sides ahead of the World T20 in India. Both sides have struggled to get their batting to click. Both teams managed just one total of more than 130, and while both have had spells where their bowlers have been impressive, they simply have not had totals big enough to defend.
Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews called for more patience. The fixture, without pressure or expectation, might be their last chance to be patient.
Stand in T20 skipper of Sri Lanka, Angelo Mathews said: “I am repeating myself every day. We have the team we have here; we are depending on a handful of seniors most of the time. If the seniors fail, we are in a spot of bother most of the time. Especially in a tournament like the Asia Cup and the World Cup you need a lot of seniors in the team. Unfortunately we haven't clicked. It will take a little time for the younger guys to start performing.”
Lasith Malinga, the regular T20 captain of Sri Lanka, who missed the last two matches due to knee problem, however, tried to find out some bright things amid the disappointing Asia Cup campaign.
“We got a very young. The tournament is a learning curve for them. They earned some valuable experience which I think will work them in future.”
“Even though we can’t qualify for the final, we’ll give our best to win the match against Pakistan to end the tournament with successful note.”
Both sides would benefit from a much-needed morale-boosting win, and considering how much both have struggled, this might be one of the most exciting fixtures of the tournament, even if its outcome has no real meaning.