The Asia Cup, always a spectacular event in the cricket calendar, saw yet another thrilling finish as Sri Lanka narrowly defeated Babar Azam's Pakistan, setting the stage for a grand finale against India. Kusal Mendis, with his remarkable 91-run innings, and Charith Asalanka's unbeaten 49, guided the Lankan lions to victory in what was a last-ball thriller in Colombo.
The atmosphere was electric as Sri Lanka chased a DLS-adjusted target of 252 in a 42-overs-per-side contest. Requiring eight runs from the concluding over, Asalanka rose to the occasion, delivering the winning hit on the final ball. The jubilation of the home crowd was palpable, but it also meant the shattering of dreams for countless fans who had anticipated an iconic India-Pakistan final in this 50-over showcase, seen as a precursor to the upcoming ODI World Cup.
This defeat evidently took a toll on the Pakistan cricket squad, particularly their captain, Babar Azam. The emotional aftermath was reflected in the words of Azam's father, Azam Siddiqui. Recounting the episode, Siddiqui shared on Instagram in Urdu: "Salam Pakistan. Pakistan played the whole match with half the players and lost on the last ball with a four of a flock. But in this match, I have been shown a total superstar bowler Zaman Khan, who was bowling very well even in high pressure. Win or lose game. It is a part of the team, but the team played the whole competition despite being in half."
Offering hope for the future, Siddiqui optimistically wrote, "Inshallah, when everyone is fit in the World Cup, it will be fun to see the competitions. Allah only sees what happens with intention and action from the heart. Whether he accepts it or not, He is my Lord. I think the team has sacrificed their lives. Let's encourage the team at this time and make their hearts big. This is patriotism. Long live Pakistan. (I just talked to Babar, he was not able to talk. I told him, 'Braves live or learn.' Never break)."
With Pakistan setting a competitive score of 252/7 in their allotted 42 overs, Sri Lanka was given the exact same target, thanks to the DLS method, which they achieved with dramatic flair on the last ball.
Now, all eyes are on the highly anticipated Asia Cup final where Rohit Sharma-led India will clash with Sri Lanka. This battle, with 13 Asian titles combined between the two cricketing powerhouses, holds paramount importance as both teams gear up for the imminent ODI World Cup. Additionally, Sri Lanka's penchant for reaching the finals of such tournaments often dashes the hopes of fans eagerly awaiting a classic India-Pakistan face-off.
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