Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Asia Cup final, Mirpur: Pakistan bat; Afridi fit, Mendis left out

Misbah-ul-Haq chose to bat in the Asia Cup final, as Pakistan sought to adhere to their preference for defending totals. Angelo Mathews said his team would also have batted first. Sri Lanka had achieved two of their four victories chasing, in this tournament.

Ajantha Mendis omission was Sri Lanka’s solitary, remarkable change from the XI that defeated Bangladesh on Thursday. Mendis had been joint-highest wicket taker in the tournament with nine scalps at an average of 14.

Seam bowler Suranga Lakmal remained in the side as Lasith Malinga returned after being rested in the last match. Regular vice-captain Dinesh Chandimal was dropped for Sri Lanka’s final round robin game and missed out again, as Ashan Priyanjan was retained

Pakistan had two changes to their side, bringing in opener Sharjeel Khan in place of middle-order batsman Sohaib Maqsood, and replacing left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman with left-arm seamer Junaid Khan. Shahid Afridi’s fitness had been of some concern in the approach to the match, but Misbah confirmed he would play the final.

Pakistan 1 Ahmed Shehzad, 2 Sharjeel Khan, 3 Mohammad Hafeez, 4 Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), 5 Fawad Alam, 6 Umar Akmal (wk), 7 Shahid Afridi, 8 Umar Gul, 9 Mohammad Talha, 10 Saeed Ajmal, 11 Junaid Khan

Sri Lanka 1 Lahiru Thirimanne, 2 Kusal Perera, 3 Kumar Sangakkara (wk), 4 Mahela Jayawardene, 5 Ashan Priyanjan, 6 Angelo Mathews (capt), 7 Chaturanga de Silva, 8 Thisara Perera, 9 Sachithra Senanayake, 10 Suranga Lakmal, 11 Lasith Malinga