Asia Cup 2025 Squad Score Update....

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Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, 11th Match, Group B - Live

Preview

Given how their campaign turned out in the T20 World Cup last year, Afghanistan were certainly one of the favourites to progress to the Super Four. However, heading into their final group game, they are now in must-win territory after the setback against Bangladesh. Their batting lineup has come under the scanner now in the tournament even though the sample size is just two games.

Sediqullah Atal and Azmatullah Omarzai were the only big contributors in their big win over Hong Kong. The rest didn't fire against Bangladesh as well and with Atal getting dismissed for a golden duck, the task only got tougher. Omarzai sizzled, though, striking some monstrous sixes but Afghanistan clearly need more players to stand up in that middle order. And this needs to happen against a side that's been largely impressive in the tournament so far.

Sri Lanka have largely kept the runs down and with the bat, they have looked good except for that wobble towards the end of the chase against Hong Kong. While in an ideal world they wouldn't have wanted their qualification to depend on this result, a three-way tie on points will be in store if they slip up. In such a scenario, Afghanistan will certainly go through and Sri Lanka's progress will depend on the margin of the loss. For example, if Sri Lanka chase 160, they will need to score at least 93 to stay ahead of Bangladesh's NRR. If they defend 160, they will have to ensure Afghanistan take at least 11.3 overs to chase the target down. Ideally, they would back themselves to tick any of these boxes as a bare minimum.

When: Thursday, September 18 at 6:30 PM local time (8 PM IST)

Where: Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

What to expect: Teams batting first have won three out of the five games so far. And in general, Afghanistan do prefer batting first and setting a target. In the only game Sri Lanka have played here this campaign, they chased down 140 against Bangladesh inside 15 overs.

Teams Watch

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka did leave out Matheesha Pathirana after his poor outing against Bangladesh and they will likely stick with that combination given how miserly Maheesh Theekshana was.

Probable XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis(w), Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka(c), Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara

Tactics & Matchups: Over the last year, Sri Lanka have fared much better than Afghanistan in the powerplay. Given how matches have been won and lost in that phase this tournament, Sri Lanka will be trying to get the upper hand with both bat and especially with the ball given Afghanistan's recent opening woes ever since they moved Ibrahim Zadran down to No.3.

Afghanistan

Despite the tight loss to Bangladesh, Afghanistan will be tempted to stick with the same combination for this crucial clash.

Probable XI: Sediqullah Atal, Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Ibrahim Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan(c), Noor Ahmad, AM Ghazanfar, Fazalhaq Farooqi

Tactics & Matchups: Azmatullah Omarzai, the reigning ODI player of the year, has been their best player in both games. Initially struggling to make an impact in T20Is, Omarzai is striking the ball at over 172 in 2025 in the format and has already broken the record for the fastest fifty by an Afghanistan batter earlier in the tournament. The 2024 T20 WC semi finalists might contemplate giving him a promotion.

Did you know?

- Across their T20I history, Afghanistan have not successfully chased down a 140+ target against a full member team other than Zimbabwe.

- Since Jan 2024, only India and Australia have fared better than Afghanistan in terms of win percentage when batting first while in run chases, Afghanistan are the worst side (among full members).

What they said:

"We are very optimistic (against Sri Lanka). We have played two games here and if we win on Thursday, we go on top of the group. There's plenty to play for. There is disappointment but we have to dust ourselves off. There are ups and downs. You have to make sure you have to ride those waves. We have to bounce back on Thursday. If we can win well, it gives us a lot of confidence. There's plenty to play for. We should have played better, but we have to pull our socks up for Thursday" - Jonathan Trott, Afghanistan head coach.

Squads:
Afghanistan Squad: Sediqullah Atal, Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan(c), Noor Ahmad, AM Ghazanfar, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Mohammad Ishaq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Darwish Rasooli, Sharafuddin Ashraf

Sri Lanka Squad: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis(w), Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Dasun Shanaka, Charith Asalanka(c), Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara, Nuwanidu Fernando, Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Binura Fernando, Matheesha Pathirana

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Asia Cup Super Four Match Schedule 2025
The Top 2 teams in the Super Four points table
#ICC #AsiaCup #asiacup2025 #T20
#t20cricket #t20match #T20Challenge
#india #Pakistan #srilanka #Bangladesh
#cricket #cricketnews

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India vs Oman, 12th Match, Group A - Live

IND 188/8 (20)OMAN 167/4 (20)India won by 21 runsPLAYER OF THE MATCH
Sanju Samson

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Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh, Super Fours, Match 1 (B1 v B2)

Just two days ago, Bangladeshi fans would've been cheering for Sri Lanka, rooting for them to win their final group-stage game and give Bangladesh a leg up into the Super 4s. Sri Lanka came through, ensuring not just Bangladesh's progression but also their own. Now, as Bangladesh face Sri Lanka, allegiances would've quickly swung back as the attention shifts towards a new chapter in this spicy rivalry.

Intriguingly, Bangladesh found themselves in this sticky situation courtesy of Sri Lanka, or rather, because of the result of their previous encounter. A top-order collapse saw Bangladesh manage just 139/5 which Sri Lanka promptly chased down in just 14.4 overs. The loss dented Bangladesh's Net Run Rate to a degree that even two big wins against Hong Kong earlier and the UAE later couldn't repair. That left them on four points and had Sri Lanka then lost to Afghanistan, a three-way tie would've ensued, with Bangladesh having the worst NRR amongst three. Fortunately for Bangladesh, that wasn't the fate that befell them.

Sri Lanka came into the tournament with several questions hanging over their form and while some were eased during their comfortable win against Bangladesh, others resurfaced after Hong Kong ran them close. Chasing a modest 150, a sudden middle-order collapse left them in a precarious position before they were rescued by a late blitz from Wanindu Hasaranga. While their latest win against Afghanistan was comprehensive, a middle-order prone to fragility was untested.

On paper, there's little to separate these sides. They've faced each other eight times since 2024 and have split those with four wins each. This contest, therefore, presents an opportunity to claim an early lead in the Super 4s along with bragging rights.

When: Sep 20, 2025, at 06:30 PM LOCAL / 8:00 PM IST

Where: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

What to expect: The pitches in Dubai have been expectedly slow and conducive to spinners. That's reflected in the fact that spinners have bowled 53.6% of the overs in this competition so far, the second-highest in any multi-team T20 tournament in the UAE.

Head to head: These two sides have faced each other eight times in T20Is since 2024 and they've won four each.

Team News

Sri Lanka

Injuries/Availability: Dunith Wellalage may be unavailable for selection following a bereavement in his family

Tactics and matchups: Sri Lanka have bowled superbly in the PowerPlay and statistics suggest the same. They have the best average and are the only bowling unit to have gone at under run-a-ball in this phase amongst the eight teams. Their key battle will be against Litton Das, who has been key to Bangladesh's success with the bat.

Probable XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka (c), Dasun Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara

Bangladesh

Injuries/Availability: No injury concerns reported

Tactics and matchups: Sri Lanka have been heavily reliant on their top-order for scoring runs and that is something Bangladesh will look to exploit. Sri Lanka's batting average of 19.02 for No.3-7, ranks 12th (last) among the full-member teams.

Probable XI: Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Litton Das (c/wk), Saif Hassan, Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali, Shamim Hossain, Nurul Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed

Did you know?

Litton Das is on the verge of becoming the leading run-scorer for Bangladesh in T20Is (2533 currently, only behind Shakib's 2551)

Bangladesh have conceded 38 extras in the tournament so far - the most amongst the eight teams

Who said what?

"The good thing is we can just focus on what we're doing, and I'm sure Sri Lanka will do the same because we know each other fairly well. It's a good contest. Making the final four is a big effort," - Shaun Tait, Bangladesh bowling coach
Squads:
Bangladesh Squad: Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Litton Das(w/c), Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Jaker Ali, Nurul Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Shoriful Islam, Parvez Hossain Emon, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mahedi Hasan
Sri Lanka Squad: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis(w), Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka(c), Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara, Nuwanidu Fernando, Binura Fernando, Chamika Karunaratne, Janith Liyanage, Matheesha Pathirana, Maheesh Theekshana

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Asia Cup Super 4s – The cricketing action continues!
Match 13: Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh (20 Sept, 8:00 pm)
Match 14: India vs Pakistan (21 Sept, 8:00 pm)
Match 15: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka (23 Sept, 8:00 pm)
Match 16: India vs Bangladesh (24 Sept, 8:00 pm)
Match 17: Pakistan vs Bangladesh (25 Sept, 8:00 pm)

Who are you rooting for in these big matchups?
#AsiaCup #INDvsPAK #SLvsBAN #INDvsBAN #SLvsPAK #PAKvsBAN #Cricket #CricketFans #MatchSchedule

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Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh, Super Fours, Match 13th (B1 v B2) - Live

SL 168/7 (20)BAN 169/6 (19.5)Bangladesh won by 4 wktsPLAYER OF THE MATCH
Saif Hassan

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India vs Pakistan, Super Fours, Match 14th (A1 v A2) - Live Cricket

Preview by Pratyush Sinha

One of India's fielding drills has been to stare straight into the floodlights while the ball is in the air and then try to catch it. The idea is to "feel the panic" of losing sight of the ball and still believe that it's possible to complete the catch.

They have practiced the drill with old balls and new, and the principle has been the same across disciplines. They have shuffled batting orders to the extent of sending Kuldeep Yadav and Arshdeep Singh ahead of captain Suryakumar, asked fast bowlers to patrol point and tossed the ball to part-timers in key phases. Even the spinners have been rotated without a set pattern. The idea: rehearse chaos, inject randomness, be ready for whatever comes.

India have tried to rehearse the unpredictable but there are things you can't prepare for. Like the paraphernalia of an India-Pakistan game. The noise that seeps in despite Suryakumar's best effort to cut it down by "70-80%" by deleting apps, closing the room, switching off the phone and going to sleep. The 20-30% that filters through is still overwhelming. This, T Dilip can't train the team for.

The last time these sides met in this Asia Cup, the cricket itself seemed secondary. Awkwardness lingered before the fixture, bitterness after it. Since then, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has carried its standoff with the ICC over Andy Pycroft, who remains the match referee for this Super Four fixture.

This meeting, too, comes wrapped in certainty and doubt. Certain, because it is on the schedule, in Dubai again, with India stronger on paper. Uncertain, because it's Pakistan and they can turn it on. To go with it, they cancelled their pre-match press conference and the last time they did that at this Asia Cup, they nearly didn't turn up and the match had to be delayed by an hour.

So the build-up has been more chaos than clarity. India have spent weeks trying to rehearse the unpredictable. Whether that's enough will be answered only on Sunday night.

When: September 21, 06:30 PM LOCAL / 8:00 PM IST

Where: Dubai International Stadium

What to expect: Another slow, dry surface, with equal boundaries on both sides and a thin grass cover to hold it together. It's likely the same center pitch used for the last India-Pakistan game. Suryakumar believes conditions here haven't shifted much across innings, unlike in Abu Dhabi where dew played a hand. Toss hasn't had a decisive say at this venue. The temperatures are forecast to be around 35 degrees around match start but the evenings in the city are already cooler than a week ago.

Team news:

India

After giving all batters and part-timers a run against Oman, India are set to revert to full strength, bringing back Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakaravarthy. Varun was among the few to train on match eve, practicing his scrambled seam legbreaks and googlies against a set of stumps. The others at the training were Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma, who bowled and batted and will be a key figure once again.

Injuries/Unavailability: Axar Patel, who struck his head while fielding in Abu Dhabi, is understood to be fine and available. No cover has been called.

Tactics & matchups: Samson and Tilak struggled against spin in Abu Dhabi, going 22 balls without a boundary. Their face-off with Abrar Ahmed will be crucial. The legspinner has bowled 70 balls in this Asia Cup and conceded just two boundaries.

Probable XI: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson(w), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy

Pakistan

Against UAE, Pakistan recalled Haris Rauf and Khushdil Shah, leaving out Sufiyan Muqeem and Faheem Ashraf. That balance is expected to continue. Eyes will be on Saim Ayub, on a hat-trick of ducks, and Hasan Nawaz, who needs runs.

Injuries/Unavailability: No reported injuries since their last match.

Tactics & matchups: Kuldeep Yadav's record against Pakistan looms again. Fakhar Zaman (30 runs, 3 dismissals in 35 balls) and Salman Agha (6 runs, 2 dismissals in 12 balls) have both found him tough across formats.

Probable XI: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Mohammad Haris(w), Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha(c), Khushdil Shah, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed

Did you know?

- Pakistan have lost 22 wickets while attempting attacking shots, the most by a team in the competition.

- In the three games so far this Asia Cup, Abhishek Sharma has faced 44 balls and smashed 99 runs off them at a SR of 225.

- Shaheen Afridi has hit 6 of the 15 sixes by Pakistan batters in this Asia Cup.

Who said what?

If we talk about rivalry [with Pakistan], I don't know what kind of rivalry you are talking about. After going on the ground, I feel that the stadium is full. And when the stadium is full, I tell my team and everyone that it is time for entertainment. So many people have come to watch the match, so you have to entertain everyone - Suryakumar Yadav, India captain

Squads:
India Squad: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Sanju Samson(w), Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Jitesh Sharma, Rinku Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy

Pakistan Squad: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Mohammad Haris(w), Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha(c), Khushdil Shah, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed, Hussain Talat, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Salman Mirza, Sufiyan Muqeem

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India vs Pakistan, Super Fours, 14th Match (A1 v A2)

PAK 171/5 (20)IND 174/4 (18.5)India won by 6 wktsPLAYER OF THE MATCH
Abhishek Sharma

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Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, Super Fours, 15th Match (A2 v B1)

Squads:
Sri Lanka Squad: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis(w), Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka(c), Dasun Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara, Nuwanidu Fernando, Binura Fernando, Chamika Karunaratne, Janith Liyanage, Matheesha Pathirana, Maheesh Theekshana

Pakistan Squad: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha(c), Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris(w), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Salman Mirza, Sufiyan Muqeem, Khushdil Shah, Hasan Nawaz

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India vs Bangladesh, Super Fours, 16th Match (A1 v B2)

IND 168/6 (20)BAN 127 (19.3)India won by 41 runsPLAYER OF THE MATCH
Abhishek Sharma