Last Updated on 13 hours by Charbel Coorey

The 3rd match of the 2025 Asia Cup Super Four stage is a crucial one. Pakistan and Sri Lanka lost their first matches, so they are in must-win territory at Abu Dhabi.

Both teams had their moments against India and Bangladesh respectively, but ultimately lost in the key moments. Pakistan started brilliantly with the bat, but a post-10th over slowdown proved mighty costly. Also, their powerplay bowling must improve after copping an Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill onslaught in Dubai. The time is now to execute.

For Sri Lanka, that they reached 168 against Bangladesh is credit to Dasun Shanaka. More is required from the likes of Kamil Mishara and Kusal Perera, whose strike rates are in focus. Also, should Sri Lanka find room for another specialist bowling option?

Both teams have questions, and it will come down to who answers them best in this clash.

Asia Cup 2025 Super Four 3rd Match: PAK vs SL Probable Playing XIs

Pakistan raised eyebrows when they opted to drop Hassan Nawaz. They could bring him back in given the middle overs struggles against India. Also, where Mohammad Haris bats is a key topic of conversation.

Pakistan: 1. Sahibzada Farhan, 2. Fakhar Zaman, 3. Saim Ayub, 4. Hussain Talat/Hassan Nawaz, 5. Mohammad Haris (wk), 6. Salman Agha (c), 7. Mohammad Nawaz, 8. Faheem Ashraf, 9. Shaheen Shah Afridi, 10. Haris Rauf, 11. Abrar Ahmed

The make up of the Sri Lankan attack is the big question. They have a host of all-rounders and could pick another specialist bowler ahead of Kamindu Mendis.

Sri Lanka: 1. Pathum Nissanka, 2. Kusal Mendis (wk), 3. Kamil Mishara, 4. Kusal Perera, 5. Charith Asalanka (c), 6. Dasun Shanaka, 7. Wanindu Hasaranga, 8. Kamindu Mendis/Maheesh Theekshana, 9. Dunith Wellalage, 10. Dushmantha Chameera, 11. Nuwan Thushara

Sheikh Zayed Stadium Abu Dhabi Pitch Report and Weather

The average first innings score at Abu Dhabi in this tournament is 164.71. Teams batting first have won four of the seven matches. However, chasing may still prove to be important.

In T20s this year, spinners have taken 15 wickets at an average of 58.73 and economy of 8.23 in Abu Dhabi according to data from Cricmetric. Pacers have taken 99 wickets at an average of 25.89 and economy of 8.17.

Fantasy Cricket Tips for PAK vs SL: Players to Watch/Key Stats

Top Wicket-Keeper Picks:  

• Kusal Mendis has been picked in 79.78% of Dream11 teams, and with good reason. He struck an excellent half-century against Afghanistan, before he looked good again for his 25-ball 34 against Bangladesh.
• Sahibzada Farhan will be key in providing Pakistan with a blistering start. He is coming off a half-century against India.

Key batter picks: 

• According to SPODA AI data, Pathum Nissanka is the likeliest player to make a 30+ score, with a probability of 47.89%. The SL opener has made a 30+ score in four of his past seven T20Is.
• Between 2017 and 2022, Fakhar Zaman scored just 67 runs in seven T20Is against Sri Lanka. However, Zaman is in good enough form now to overcome that poor record. The left-hander has 105 runs in this Asia Cup at an average of 35.00 and strike rate of 138.15.

Top all-rounder picks: 

• Wanindu Hasaranga has a terrific record against Pakistan with 14 wickets in five matches at an average of 9.07 and economy of 6.35. SPODA AI data provides a 58.02% probability that he will take 2+ wickets. The legspinner will be key in the middle overs; a period where Pakistan have struggled for momentum in this Asia Cup.
• Saim Ayub has struggled for runs in this tournament, but remains a solid fantasy pick due to his bowling contributions.

Key bowler picks: 

• Nuwan Thushara has been excellent with the new ball. Five of his six wickets in this Asia Cup have come in the powerplay, where he is averaging 14.2 with an economy of 6.45.
• Haris Rauf has taken five wickets in two matches against Sri Lanka. Also, Rauf will be key on a ground where pacers have taken more wickets than spinners in T20s this year.
• Shaheen Shah Afridi has mustered 302 Dream11 points so far in this Asia Cup. While he isn’t at his best with the ball, Shaheen is capable of providing a crucial cameo down the order.

Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Teams

• Dasun Shanaka is worth a pick. His ball-striking was outstanding against Bangladesh (64 off 37 balls). Also, the makeup of the Sri Lanka attack means he needs to provide some overs as well. He took 2/21 against the Tigers.
• Faheem Ashraf produced one of his better performances against India. He struck an 8-ball 20 and looked potent with the ball (1/31).
• Dushmantha Chameera is Sri Lanka’s equal second-highest wicket-taker in the 2025 Asia Cup (5). He will bowl in the crunch overs, which increases his wicket-taking potential.

Other Stats, Facts and Matchups

• Head-to-head: Matches 23, Pakistan 13, Sri Lanka 10.
• Sri Lanka have won the past five T20Is against Pakistan.
• According to SPODA AI data, Nuwan Thushara has a 21.50% chance of dismissing Sahibzada Farhan. The corresponding figures are 25.99% and 20.61% against Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub respectively.
• Nuwan Thushara vs Fakhar Zaman in T20s: 11 balls, 13 runs, two wickets.
• Maheesh Theekshana vs Fakhar Zaman in T20s: 21 balls, 15 runs, one wicket.
• Kusal Mendis made two golden ducks in two T20Is against Pakistan in 2022.

Asia Cup 2025 Super Four 3rd Match: PAK vs SL Dream11 Prediction

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams. 

Option 1:

Option 2:

Asia Cup 2025 Super Four 3rd Match: PAK vs SL Match Prediction – Who will win?

A game that can go either way. Sri Lanka look more confident and may edge this one.

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