Sri Lanka makes it to the Asia Cup final by defeating Pakistan

Sri Lanka strolled to the Asia Cup final on Thursday, defeating Pakistan by two wickets in a last-ball drama while effectively hunting down the 253-run goal at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

Top scores from Kusal Mendis and Charith Asalanka helped Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by two wickets in the Asia Cup Super 4 match on Thursday in Colombo. The match was truncated to 42 overs each side due to weather. Sri Lanka, chasing a revised goal of 252, got off to a great start but lost key wickets.

Kusal Mendis, on the other hand, hammered 91 and Sadeera Samarawickrama scored 48. Later, Charith Asalanka hit an undefeated 49 to send Sri Lanka home on the final ball of the game. Iftikhar Ahmed grabbed three wickets for Pakistan, while Shaheen Afridi took two and Shadab Khan took one. Sri Lanka will now play India in the championship match on Sunday.

Earlier, Abdullah Shafique (52 off 69 balls) and skipper Babar Azam (29) established a 64-run stand after deciding to bat in the critical match. But it was Rizwan and Iftikhar who gave the finishing touch, pushing Pakistan over the 250-run barrier. Sri Lanka’s strongest bowler was youthful pacer Matheesha Pathirana (3/64).

Pakistan recovered well to reach 252/7 in 42 overs, thanks to Mohammad Rizwan (86* off 73) and Iftikhar Ahmed (47 off 40). However, due to the introduction of DLS, Sri Lanka received a revised objective. They weren’t after 253, but rather 252. The total for Pakistan was reduced by one run.

Kusal Mendis, Player of the Match: “Very happy to come to the final. Overall everyone played really well. Couple of wickets went down, but I was hoping that Charith would finish the game as he has done it before. And he did it. The batter unit have done very well, so have the bowler. Wanindu, Chameera and Kumara are the main bowler, but in the WC they are coming back. Dunith has been bowling well. We have a young unit. Everyone has done well.”

Dasun Shanaka, Sri Lanka captain:  “We had the game under the control but we could have stayed till the end. We gave them a chance to come back but Charith held his nerves. We had the discussion going before the batting. Coaching staff and myself spoke that the mistake was done in the India game. Wickets were given in the first 10 overs, today we did not want to do that mistake. Kusal and Sadeera are the best players of spin at the moment. Charith was great. Character of a great player. Special feeling to play back to back finals. Thanks to the crowd.”

On Sunday, Sri Lanka will face India in the final.