Sri Lanka on Thursday defeated Pakistan by two wickets in a crucial and thrilling match of the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup to reach the final.
The match was decided in the last over when Sri Lanka needed two runs off the last ball. Sri Lanka’s Aslanka easily scored the required runs off Zaman Khan.
In the rain-affected match played in Colombo today, Pakistan batted first and scored 252 runs for seven wickets in the allotted 42 overs.
The match was initially restricted to 45 overs after the toss was delayed due to rain. During the first innings, the match had to be stopped due to rain and the number of overs was reduced to 42.
Abdullah Shafiq and Babar Azam showed a good partnership for Pakistan. Later, after rapid fall of wickets, Muhammad Rizwan and Iftikhar Ahmed not only managed the innings but also scored runs quickly.
Abdullah and Babar scored 64 runs in the second wicket partnership while Rizwan and Iftikhar Ahmed scored 108 runs in the sixth wicket partnership.
On behalf of Pakistan, Abdullah scored 52 runs, Babar Azam scored 29 runs, Mohammad Rizwan scored 86 not out and Iftikhar Ahmed scored 47 runs.
The Sri Lankan spinners, who troubled the Indian batsmen a day ago, could not trouble the Pakistani batsmen any more.
Dinath Velalage, who took five wickets against India, managed to take only one wicket in this match.
Among the Sri Lankan bowlers, Pathirana was the most successful bowler who took three wickets. However, he also gave the highest 65 runs in eight overs.
Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan scores a half-century as Iftikhar Ahmed falls just three runs short in the Asia Cup Super Four match against Sri Lanka in Colombo, September 14, 2023 (AFP)
Sri Lanka started cautiously chasing 253 runs but suffered their first loss in the form of Kisal Perera in the fourth over.
Perera scored 17 runs off eight balls and was run out by Shadab Khan.
After him, the second opener Pramod Madushan was caught out by Shadab for a total score of 77. He scored 29 runs.
Kasal Mendis and Sudira Samaravikrama showed excellent participation and took the team close to victory.
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The two had taken Sri Lanka’s total to 177, when Sudira was stumped by Iftikhar in the 30th over. He scored 48 runs off 51 balls with the help of four fours.
At this stage Sri Lanka needed 74 more runs in 12 overs to win.
However, Mendes at the other end continued to score along with Cherith Aslanka.
However, he was also dismissed by Iftikhar in the 36th over, Mohammad Haris caught him very well for 91 runs.
At 224 in the 38th over, Sri Lanka suffered their fifth loss in the form of Shanaka, who was caught out by Iftikhar for two runs.
Auslanka (49 runs) held one end despite falling wickets frequently and took the team to the finish line.
In the second last over of the match, Shaheen Shah Afridi took two wickets in two balls and made the match sensational.
Sri Lanka needed eight runs in the last over which they scored off the last ball.
On behalf of Pakistan, Iftikhar took three wickets for 50 runs while Shaheen dismissed two and Shadab Khan dismissed one batsman.
The final between Sri Lanka and India will be played on Sunday.
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