Asia Cup 2022: Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Head to Head Record

Sri Lanka vs. Pakistan Head-to-Head: Asia Cup Final

After a flurry of activity over the past fortnight, the Asia Cup 2022 is heading towards a close this weekend.

Twelve games have played out, but it only took ten matches to determine that Sri Lanka would face Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2022 final. With India heading into the tournament as overwhelming favourites, and Afghanistan topping their group, the Super Four phase of the Asia Cup has brought surprises to many cricket fans.

Both Sri Lanka and Pakistan have performed strongly in the latter half of the tournament, with Pakistan clinching two last over victories against India and Afghanistan, while Sri Lanka have also achieved the same.

However, Sri Lanka head into this match with the most momentum, having won last night’s Super Four match between the two sides by five wickets.

Now, the two teams have 48 hours to prepare, before they turn their sights to each other yet again, in the final of the Asia Cup 2022. We look at their track records across T20Is and Asia Cup matches heading into this game.

Overall T20I Record Between Sri Lanka and Pakistan

Looking at the overall record between Sri Lanka and Pakistan in T20Is, we can see that these two Asian giants have played each other 22 times.

Of the 21 matches between the two, Pakistan have the upper hand, having won five more T20Is than Sri Lanka. However, when these sides meet, Sri Lanka score an average of 144.4 runs, slightly ahead of Pakistan’s 143.3 average.

Across these games, the highest score by Sri Lanka has been 211, while Pakistan have made it to 189 before. Both sides have been bowled for under 100 previously, with Sri Lanka making 99 and Pakistan making 95.

Interestingly, Pakistan are the better chasing side, having chased down 172 previously. Sri Lanka, however, have only managed a successful chase of 132 against Pakistan—the only time they’ve won chasing against Pakistan.

This match on Sunday night will be the 22^nd meeting between the two sides in T20Is.

Last T20I Meeting Between Sri Lanka and Pakistan

For many match ups, it’s tricky to determine exactly how two sides will fare against each other.

However, in this instance, we have some very recent data to go off—Sri Lanka and Pakistan played last night, in the final match of the Super Four phase.

Sri Lanka came away the victors last night, bowling Pakistan out for 121 with Wanindu Hasaranga taking 21/3, before reaching the target with five wickets and three overs to spare. Pathum Nissanka top scored, making 55 not out off 48 balls.

Despite this comprehensive victory, it’s hard to read too much into this one—Pakistan were resting two key players ahead of the final, and both sides knew it was a dead rubber, having already qualified for the finals

Previous T20I Meetings Between Sri Lanka and Pakistan

Looking back over a little further than last night’s match, we can see that Sri Lanka has had the upper hand in recent years over Pakistan. Here’s how the last five matches before this year’s Asia Cup played out:

Clearly, the side that bats first has been the most successful in recent outings between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, with four of the last five matches prior to this Asia Cup 2022 being won by the side posting a total.

Sri Lanka will be eager to build on their momentum from last night however, which saw them buck this trend and win by chasing for the first time in five matches between the sides.

Asia Cup Statistics: Sri Lanka vs. Pakistan Overall

With both Sri Lanka and Pakistan having played in the Asia Cup since its start in 1984, there is a strong rivalry between the two in this tournament.

We can see that their Asia Cup head-to-head, which covers both ODIs and T20Is when the tournament has been played in different formats, is led by Sri Lanka:

Contrary to their T20I head-to-head, Sri Lanka leads the Asia Cup head-to-head comfortably, with twice as many wins in this tournament over Pakistan. The two did not meet in the Asia Cup 2018, as they were drawn in opposite pools and Sri Lanka failed to progress to the Super Four stage.

However, their last meeting in an Asia Cup was in the 2016 tournament, which was played in T20I format. Pakistan won this game by six wickets, chasing down 150/4 with four balls to spare.

Sri Lanka and Pakistan have also met three times before in the Asia Cup final, with Sri Lanka leading the final head-to-head 2-1. Here’s what the results have looked like:

Tomorrow’s game will be their fourth meeting in Asia Cup finals, with Pakistan looking to balance the scales and make it 2-2.

What the Statistics Tell Us About Sri Lanka vs. Pakistan Matches

Statistics from the T20I and Asia Cup head-to-heads between Sri Lanka and Pakistan tell us Sunday’s final will be a close one.

Sri Lanka lead their Asia Cup head-to-head, while Pakistan lead the T20I head-to-head. Sri Lanka are coming off a win last night, having also won the previous three T20Is between the two nations.

What will be interesting is what the toss-winning captain elects to do. So far this Asia Cup, both sides have had great success chasing—in the Super Four alone, the two sides are 4/4 in their matches, having elected to chase in all of them.

However, their T20I head-to-head shows that the team batting first usually wins.

Will Sri Lanka and Pakistan listen to history, or go off recent form? Sunday night will tell us the answer.