Asia Cup 2025: Why is Matheesha Pathirana not playing Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Match 15?

Matheesha Pathirana wasn't available for selection in Sri Lanka's important clash against Pakistan in the Super-Four stage of the 2025 Asia Cup on Tuesday, September 23.

This clash, at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, is very crucial for both teams. Pakistan lost their opening clash in the Super Fours to India by six wickets. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka suffered a defeat to Bangladesh by four wickets. The team which loses on Tuesday could be on the verge of elimination.

Toss Update

Salman Agha won the toss and opted to field first. He said that the wicket looks good and will not change much. Meanwhile, Charith Asalanka mentioned that he would have also bowled first had he won the toss. However, he doesn't mind batting first as he reckons that the pitch is good.

No Matheesha Pathirana comeback

Matheesha Pathirana played only in Sri Lanka's first game in the Asia Cup against Hong Kong. Ahead of Tuesday's clash, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) posted a tweet confirming that the right-arm pacer was unavailable for selection as he is unwell. SLC also mentioned that Pathirana has not practised with the team in the last couple of days.

Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰@OfficialSLC

ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 – Sri Lanka Team Update Matheesha Pathirana is unwell and will not be available for selection for today’s game against Pakistan. He did not take part in team practice sessions during the last two days and is currently under medical treatment.

06:09 PM · Sep 23, 2025

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What did the captains say?

Salman Agha (Pakistan captain)

We will bowl first. Looks a good wicket, don't think it will change much. I think we started well (against India), but then the tempo shifted.. They are a good side, we’re a good side. We don’t think about the past, just need to focus on today. We have an unchanged side.

Charith Asalanka (Sri Lanka captain)

I would have done the same thing. It looks a good pitch, don't mind batting first. We are playing good cricket, we need to improve in a few areas. Batting and bowling at the death. There are two changes. Theekshana and Karunaratne are in. We thought that we might need one extra bowler, that's why we have brought in a bowler who can bat.

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SL vs PAK, Match 15 Playing 11s

Sri Lanka

Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (WK), Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka (C), Dasun Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara.

Pakistan

Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha (C), Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris (WK), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.