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Sri Lanka walk into Abu Dhabi on Tuesday with no safety net left. Their Super Four clash against Pakistan is, in every sense, a must-win. Another slip, and their hold on the Asia Cup T20 crown will be gone. Head coach Sanath Jayasuriya did not sugar-coat the stakes after Saturday’s four-wicket defeat to Bangladesh in Dubai, a loss that exposed flaws in both selection and execution. “It’s a must win for us and we all know how important this game is,” Jayasuriya said. “We are looking at two changes to the XI but will make that call once we reach Abu Dhabi.” Those changes are expected to target two underperformers. Dunith Wellalage, ineffective in his two outings, is likely to be replaced by specialist spinner Maheesh Theekshana. At No. 3, Kamil Mishara’s lean run has opened the door for Kusal Janith Perera to return to the pivotal slot. Chamika Karunaratne and Janith Liyanage are also in contention as Sri Lanka weigh bowling depth against batting stability. The urgency stems from the nature of the Bangladesh defeat. Despite captain Dasun Shanaka’s whirlwind half-century, Sri Lanka’s 168 proved inadequate. Erratic bowling and poor execution at the death handed the opposition control. The middle overs remain their biggest concern. Against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka mustered just 45 runs between overs seven and fourteen, surrendering momentum. “We need to keep the momentum against spin, rotate the strike better and not let the run rate stall. At the death, at least 10 to 15 runs an over is essential for a competitive total,” said Jayasuriya. Sri Lanka’s unbeaten group-stage run against Hong Kong, Afghanistan and Bangladesh is now a distant memory. The Super Four has exposed a harsher reality that individual brilliance is not enough. Wanindu Hasaranga’s tight spells, Shanaka’s counterattacks and Kusal Mendis’ clean hitting have kept them afloat, but consistency across departments is lacking. The bowling too has faltered, with yorkers missing their mark and slower balls telegraphed early. Pakistan arrive carrying their own scars. Their bruising defeat to India in the Super Four opener exposed similar weaknesses. The much-vaunted pace battery of Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf was unusually blunt, while the spinners bled runs. Their batting looked top-heavy, fragile in the middle and brittle at the finish. It sets up a clash of two wounded giants, both desperate to arrest a slide before it becomes terminal. The stakes could not be higher. India and Bangladesh already have early control of the table, and another defeat here would push either side to the brink of elimination. For Sri Lanka, the equation is about balance of choosing the right XI, squeezing runs out of the middle overs and executing skills under pressure. For Pakistan, it is about recovery and proving their pace arsenal still intimidates and their batting can withstand a crisis. Beyond the tactics, pride is also on the line. For Sri Lanka, it is about defending the title and proving 2022 was no fluke. For Pakistan, it is about rebounding from the emotional sting of an India defeat. When the two teams collide under Abu Dhabi’s floodlights, there will be no hiding place. The Asia Cup tolerates no passengers. For Sri Lanka and Pakistan alike, it is win or face the long, lonely march home. Probable Sri Lanka XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Janith Perera, Charith Asalanka (captain), Dasun Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne or Janith Liyanage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara.