The Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup 2022 has started with two good encounters. First, Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan by 4 wickets. Then, the arch-rivals India and Pakistan faced each other for the second time in a span of one week.
Sri Lanka is playing very good cricket in the tournament. They chased down two big totals in the last two games against Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
Sri Lanka could well be one of the contenders to play the final in the Asia Cup 2022. As we are writing this article, the match between India and Sri Lanka has started and Sri Lanka has made a great start after choosing to bowl first. They took two early wickets of KL Rahul and V Kohli.
Great comeback from Pakistan after a defeat in the first game
Pakistan, after facing a defeat against India in the first round has made a strong comeback. They thrashed Hong Kong by 155 runs after making 193 in the first inning. Hong Kong was bundled out for just 38 runs in 10.4 overs.
Then they faced India again and took revenge for the last game. India started off really well in the powerplay after they were told to bat first.
KL Rahul and R Sharma showed early intent and made 54 runs in just 5 overs. H Rauf broke the partnership but India was going well with the run rate.
Pakistan spinners pulled the game back and at one stage, India was 131 for 5.
V Kohli was holding the one end and going well. He made 60 off 44 balls with 4 fours and a six. India was restricted to 181.
Pakistan lost B Azam early as R Bishnoi draws the first blood for India. F Zaman and M Rizwan stitched 41 run partnership for the 2nd wicket. But they were going slow and the run rate started to propel up.
Pakistan sent M Nawaz at No. 4 and he played an outstanding quick-fire inning of 42. In the end, Pakistan won the game after an anti-climax.
Pakistan played very good cricket in the Asia Cup 2022. Even in the first game against India, they made the match out with a score of just 147. Their bowlers bowled really well and stretched the game till the end. It was not an easy run chase for India.
Today, we will talk about “Does Pakistan have a chance to win the Asia Cup 2022?”
The way Pakistan is playing in this Asia Cup 2022, they have a very good chance of winning the Asia Cup 2022.
They have a very good team with a proper balance in the team despite missing some of its big players. B Azam is not doing well in this Asia Cup 2022 but we know how good a player he is. M Rizwan is in form, M Nawan has contributed with both bat and ball, and pacers are doing well.
So there are high chances that they will at least make it to the finals of the Asia Cup 2022. And one good day in the final will give them a trophy.
Injury concerns for Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2022
Pakistan already missing the services of their premium bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi. Adding to that, M Wasim Jr. was also ruled out of the Asia Cup 2022.
N Shah also had cramps in India’s first game. And S Dahani is also injured right now.
Despite the injury concerns, Pakistan’s bowling attack has done well in the tournament. They have backup pacers in the team who are doing well.
But Pakistan has to look into this matter and have to manage their pace bowlers. They can’t afford any more injuries in this Asia Cup 2022.
How Pakistan can win the tournament? What are the scenarios?
Pakistan has started well in the Super 4 by beating India by 5 wickets. They just need to win one of the two games to go into the final.
Pakistan will play Afghanistan on September 07 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah. And on September 09, they will play against Sri Lanka at Dubai International Stadium.
Both teams are playing some good cricket in the Asia Cup 2022. So it is not going to be easy for Pakistan to run through these two oppositions. Afghanistan has a very good spin attack on these tracks and Sri Lanka chased down two big totals in the last game.
But they will back themselves as they are a little bit easier opponents than India. But anyone can beat anyone on a given day in this format. So they are not taking it lightly.
Does Pakistan have a chance to win the Asia Cup 2022?
As we discussed earlier, they have everything that a team has to win the tournament. Despite missing the services of their pacers.
Pakistan’s squad for the Asia Cup 2022-
Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Shahnawaz Dahani, Usman Qadir, Mohammad Hasnain, Hasan Ali.
So what do you think of this one? Will Pakistan win the Asia Cup 2022? Comment your opinion below.
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