Defending Champions Sri Lanka beat Pakistan in a last-ball thriller to reach Asia Cup final against India
Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by two wickets via DLS method in a super four match to secure their place in the final of the Asia Cup here on Thursday. Sri Lanka will take on India in the final on Sunday.
Mohammad Rizwan (86 not out) and Iftikhar Ahmed (47) put up a 108-run stand to steer Pakistan to a commanding 252 for 7 after rain reduced the match to 42-overs a side contest. However, Kusal Mendis (91) led a valiant batting display alongside Charith Asalanka (49 not out) and Sadeera Samarawickrama (48) as Sri Lanka overhauled the target in 42 overs.
Earlier, opener Abdullah Shafique (52 off 69 balls) shared a 64-run stand with skipper Babar Azam (29) after opting to bat in the crucial fixture. But Rizwan and Iftikhar provided the final flourish, taking Pakistan across the 250-run mark. Young pacer Matheesha Pathirana (3/64) was the most successful bowler for Sri Lanka.
Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first in a rain-curtailed match. Sri Lanka made an early inroads as Fakhar Zaman was bowled out cheaply, Babar and Shafique building Pakistan’s innings. There were changes galore for Pakistan as Imam ul Haq, Faheem Ashraf, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, and Salman Ali Agha missed out, replaced by Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Haris, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Wasim and Zaman Khan.
Muhammad Haris, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, and Zaman Khan get the chance to prove themselves.
Asia Cup final: The Injury Scares that cost No. 1 ODI team the defeat against Sri Lanka
Pakistan had been hamstrung by injuries to their key pacers Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah, who are being monitored by their medical staff but may not play a further role in this Asia Cup. Shaheen Afridi too injured his finger but it didn’t seem to be a major worry as he came out to bat against India. He then had to play a key role with the ball and hit the straps straightaway if Pakistan were to gain a position of strength.
Apart from this, who can forget Agha Salman’s unfortunate right under-the-eye bruise which he received playing against Ravindra Jadeja?
The list of injuries meant five changes in the team, hence, Muhammad Haris, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, and Zaman Khan got the chance to prove themselves.
Consequently, you can’t expect a team with half of their players young and inexperienced to win against a solid team like Sri Lanka who just got their 13-win streak broken by mighty India.
Finally, it will be a great contest between bat and ball on Sunday. Since, both the teams have a hunger to play and regain their legacy.
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