Sri Lanka rode on match-winning knocks from Kusal Mendis and Charith Asalanka to pull off an thrilling run-chase as Sri Lanka eliminated Pakistan to set up Asia Cup 2023's final date with India. This is Sri Lanka's 12th Asia Cup final (11th in ODIs) as they now will face Rohit Sharma's brigade on Sunday, September 17.
The Super Four clash at the Premadasa stadium went down to the wire when Sri Lanka needed eight runs off the last over, but Asalanka kept his nerves and eked out a two-wicket win for his team from the jaws of defeat. Chasing a stiff target of 252, Sri Lanka got off to a decent start but both of their openers Pathum Nissanka (29) and Kusal Perera (17) returned to pavilion when the scoreboard read 77/2. Then Mendis took up the mantle and steadied Sri Lanka's boat cracking a splendid 91 off 87 to take the Islanders to a strong 210. Kusal paired up with Sadeera Samarawickrama (48 off 51) and it seemed like Sri Lanka will comfortably achieve the target. But Iftikhar Ahmed rocked Sri Lankan camp by dismissing both the set batters in back to back overs and Sri Lanka found themselves in precarious position. But Asalanka turned the tide on its head and scored an unbeaten 49 to take Sri Lanka past finishing line in the last ball despite Shaheen Shah Afridi's and Zaman Khan's late bowling blitzes.
Despite commencing the Super Four with a notable triumph against Bangladesh at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium, Pakistan's voyage was marred by fitness and form issues. Their defeat to arch-rivals India by 228 runs was a significant setback. Although they improved in the match against Sri Lanka, it wasn't sufficient to grasp the win.
they made a staggering five alterations to their initial lineup. Key players, Imam-ul Haq and Saud Shakeel, had to sit out due to back spasm and illness, paving the way for Fakhar Zaman and Abdullah Shafique. Additionally, Zaman Khan marked his ODI debut, filling in the shoes of injured Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah.
Fakhar's reintroduction didn't go as planned when he fell to Pramod Madushan. In contrast, Shafique capitalised on the opportunity, crafting a steady 52 off 69 deliveries, peppered with boundaries. Babar Azam's promising innings was cut short at 29 by Wellalage, leaving Pakistan at a precarious 130/5.
However, a resilient partnership between Mohammad Rizwan and Iftikhar Ahmed added 108 runs, steering Pakistan to a stronger position. Rizwan's fiery 86 off 73 balls and Iftikhar's supportive 47 off 40 guided Pakistan to 252/7 in the rain-shortened game. Matheesha Pathirana's bowling was a mixed bag – he claimed three wickets but conceded 65 runs.
On the Sri Lankan front, Kusal Perera's aggressive start was halted by Shadab Khan's accurate fielding. Momentum continued with Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka adding 57 runs. Shadab broke this partnership, dismissing Nissanka. The limelight, however, was on Sadeera Samarawickrama, one of the tournament's top performers, who anchored a 100-run stand with Mendis.
Samarawickrama's knock of 48 ended at Iftikhar's hands. Mendis, nearing his third ODI century, departed with 91 runs, leaving the match on a knife's edge. Dasun Shanaka's ambitious shot found Mohammad Nawaz, and with a steep 20 required off three balls, all eyes were on Charith Asalanka and the seasoned Dhananjaya de Silva.
As the match neared its climax, the scales tipped frequently. Dasun Shanaka's dismissal and a tight penultimate over by Shaheen left Sri Lanka requiring eight runs from the last over. The climax reached its peak with six needed off two deliveries. Charith Asalanka's resilience shone through as he carved a boundary followed by a two, ensuring Sri Lanka's ticket to the finale.
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