Pakistan will lock horns against the unofficial host, Sri Lanka, in a do-or-die game at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Thursday, September 13. With both teams standing at two points each, after losing and winning one of their two Super Four matches.Pakistan has no other option but to beat Sri Lanka to qualify for the mega final to be played on Sunday. On the other side, even if the game is drawn or abandoned, Sri Lanka will still qualify.The difficulty for Pakistan would be exacerbated by the absence of Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf. The inability to bowl against India caused problems for both players, and the management decided not to risk their fitness before the 2023 World Cup. As backups, Shahnawaz Dahani and Zaman Khan have been added.At the R Premadasa Stadium, where spin is anticipated to play a significant role, Sri Lanka, the defending champion, is the favorite to defeat Pakistan. Even though the surface is predicted to be spin-friendly, Pakistan will be without their top pacers, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah, who have been devastating no matter the circumstances.Shadab Khan, who has taken five wickets in four games while averaging 38, is Pakistans top spinner. Pakistans spin team has struggled. Mohammad Nawaz has been benched in the last two games, and Usama Mir lacks experience. On the other hand, Sri Lankas spinners caused havoc on Tuesday against India and made history by being the first ODI team to grab all 10 of Indias wickets with spin bowling. Wellalage is tied for the most wickets taken in the Asia Cup 2023 with nine from four games.Making a comeback for Pakistan, it will be very challenging in the event if top order fails and Babar Azam leaves early. The hitters from Sri Lanka must maintain their composure and simply put up a respectable total.Squads:Pakistan Squad: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (w), Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Zaman Khan, Shahnawaz Dahani, Mohammad Nawaz, Saud Shakeel, Usama Mir, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad HarisSri Lanka Squad: Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis (w), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana, Dushan Hemantha, Pramod Madushan, Binura Fernando, Kusal Perera
