Sri Lanka booked their place in the Asia Cup 2023 final with a thrilling  two wicket win over Pakistan in the Super 4 contest at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Thursday.

Match Summary

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, Round 2-Super 4s (A1 v B1)

Pakistan 252/7 (42 ov)

Lanka 252/8 (42 ov)

Sri Lanka won by 2 wickets (D/L Method)

SCORECARD

In what was a virtual semi-final Sri Lanka pulled off the final delivery of the win in a game marred by rain delay. Pakistan won the toss and set a 253-run target, which was revised to 252 due to DLS.

Pakistan yet again were dealt with early as poor form of Fakhar Zaman continued. Captain Babar Azam (29: 35b, 3x4) joined Abdullah Shafique (52:69b, 3x4, 2x6) and the duo together added 64 runs for the second wicket that brought the team back on the track. However, after that Men in Green suffered a collapse and were reduced to 130 for five inside 28 overs. Rain halt then turned things in favour of Pakistan as the ball was coming nicely onto the bat. Mohammad Rizwan (86 not out: 73b, 6x4, 2x6) and Iftikhar Ahmed (47:40b, 4x4, 2x6) took full advantage of that and played some great shots. They stitched a 108-run partnership for the eighth wicket and powered their team to a total of 252 for seven. For Sri Lanka, Matheesha Pathirana was the pick of the bowlers with his figures of three for 65.

Kusal Perera (17:8b, 4x4) and Pathum Nissanka (29:44b, 4x4) came out all guns blazing and smashed quick-fire 20 runs for the opening partnership. Perera got run out and later Nissanka added 57 runs stand with Kusal Mendis (91:87b, 8x4, 1x6) to keep sure Sri Lanka are in the game. However, the actual blitz came from Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama (48:51b, 4x4) as they played the Pakistan bowlers exceptionally well. They stitched a 100-run partnership for the third wicket and asserted their authority over the game. However, Iftikhar Ahmed brought Pakistan back into the game as he picked three wickets and all of a sudden Sri Lanka was left at 222 for five. Charith Asalanka (49 not out; 47b, 3x4, 1x6) showed great maturity with the bat and soaked in all the pressure despite Shaheen Afridi picking two wickets in the penultimate over. Asalanka held his nerves well and won the game for his team off the last ball.

Match Stats
Pakistan: 252-7 (42)
Fall of wickets: 1-9 (Fakhar Zaman-4.2 ov), 2-73 (Babar Azam-15.6 ov), 3-100 (Abdullah Shafique-21.4 ov), 4-108 (Mohammad Haris-23.6 ov), 5-130 (Mohammad Nawaz-27.4 ov), 6-238 (Iftikhar Ahmed-40.3 ov), 7-243 (Shadab Khan-41.2 ov)

Sri Lanka: 252-8 (42)
Fall of wickets: 1-20 (Kusal Perera-3.2 ov), 2-77 (Pathum Nissanka-13.2 ov), 3-177 (Sadeera Samarawickrama-29.4 ov), 4-210 (Kusal Mendis-35.1 ov), 5-222 (Dasun Shanaka-37.4 ov), 6-243 (Dhananjaya de Silva-40.4 ov), 7-243 (Dunith Wellalage-40.5 ov), 8-246 (Pramod Madushan-41.4 ov)

Playing XIs
Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam (captain), Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Haris, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Zaman Khan

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (wicket-keeper), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (captain), Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Pramod Madushan, Matheesha Pathirana

Match Details
Toss: Pakistan, elected to bat
Venue: R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Start time: 0930 hrs GMT
Match officials: Ahmed Shah Pakteen, Langton Rusere (On-field Umpires); Chris Gaffaney (TV Umpire); Jayaraman Madangopal (Reserve Umpire); Javagal Srinath (Match-referee)

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