In a riveting showdown at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Thursday, Sri Lanka clinched a two-wicket victory in a last-ball thriller against Pakistan, sealing their place in the Asia Cup final. Chasing a challenging 253-run target in a rain-affected 42-over match, Sri Lanka staged a remarkable comeback, led by Kusal Mendis, who played a stellar innings of 92 runs, and Sadeera Samarawickrama, contributing a quickfire 48 off 51 balls.
Pakistan’s bowlers put up a commendable fight, with part-time spinner Iftikhar Ahmed taking three crucial wickets, while Shaheen Shah Afridi managed to claim two wickets in the final overs, and Shadab Khan dismissing one Sri Lankan batsman.
Sri Lanka maintained their momentum throughout the early overs, sustaining a required run rate of six runs per over to reach their target. Despite late wickets, Pakistan couldn’t break through the resilient Sri Lankan lineup. In the end, it was the unwavering determination of the last-standing man, Charith Asalanka, who remained unbeaten on 49 and guided his team to the finals.
Sri Lanka’s Innings:
Overs 41-42
The thrilling conclusion saw Sri Lanka secure victory by scoring 8 runs in the last over. An unintentional edge sent the fifth ball of the over to the boundary after Zaman had dismissed Pramod on the previous delivery. A double was needed from the last ball, which the two batsmen completed as Asalanka elegantly clipped it towards midwicket for the win.
Overs 36-40
Iftikhar dismissed Mendis with the first delivery of the 36th over, using sharp spin to force an edge to the covers, where Haris took a much-needed wicket for Pakistan. Six runs came from it as Asalanka and the skipper, Shanaka, resumed the chase. Shaheen conceded only 3 runs in the 37th over as he returned to the attack, applying pressure on the new batsmen. Iftikhar claimed five runs in the 38th over and dismissed the Lankan skipper, Shanaka, with a superb catch at the boundary by Nawaz.
Shaheen was then struck for a boundary over his head by Asalanka in the 39th over as the Lankans needed 20 runs from 18 deliveries. Zaman was called upon to bowl the 40th over, and Asalanka unleashed a powerful boundary over the ropes. The pacers conceded 8 runs, leaving the Lankans requiring 12 runs from 12 balls.
Overs 31-35
Zaman was tasked with the 31st over as Pakistan sought to stifle the Lankan chase. The pacer conceded eight runs, including a boundary by Mendis on the last ball of the over. Iftikhar was struck for a six to start the 32nd over. A single kept the Lankan chase on track, ending the over with seven runs. Shadab delivered an economical over, allowing just two runs as he was brought into the attack by the skipper. Pakistan experimented with various bowlers to halt the Lankan chase. Iftikhar proved expensive in the 34th over, yielding 12 runs, including a six on the last ball by Kusal Mendis, who advanced into the 90s.
Overs 26-30
Shaheen returned to the attack, aiming to break the Lankan partnership. The batters managed five runs, keeping the score ticking. Shadab was also introduced from the other end as he had previously proven to be a wicket-taker for the hosts. The Lankan pair accumulated six runs from Shadab’s sixth over. Shaheen conceded seven runs in the 28th over, as Mendis struck a boundary. Shadab was struck for eight runs in his seventh over. Sadeera was dismissed, stumped by Rizwan as he ventured down the pitch against Iftikhar in the 30th over.
Overs 21-25
Wasim bowled the 21st over as Sri Lanka’s march continued. Eight runs came from it as Mendis completed his half-century. Iftikhar bowled a very economical 22nd over, as the off-spinner maintained the pressure. Nawaz replaced Wasim, and the Lankan side managed four runs from the 23rd over. Iftikhar bowled the 24th over, giving away a boundary on the fifth ball, relieving some pressure. Nawaz conceded only four runs in his seventh over to conclude the first 25 overs of Sri Lanka’s innings. Pakistan attempted to apply pressure, with the home side at 149 for the loss of two wickets.
Overs 16-20
Shadab bowled three dot balls at the start of the 16th over. Seven runs were scored, including a well-saved boundary effort by Shaheen and Nawaz, who combined to limit the over to seven runs. Nawaz continued from the other end, conceding a single. The pressure was released in the 18th over as Shadab went for three boundaries. Shadab struggled to maintain a consistent length, allowing runs to flow. Babar brought Wasim Junior back to bowl the 19th over. Sri Lankan batters rotated the strike and collected 5 runs from the over. Iftikhar replaced Shadab for the 20th over, with the Lankans scoring 8 runs from it, maintaining a run per ball. Mendis and Sadeera settled in for the chase, with Sri Lanka reaching 124 for the loss of two wickets after 20 overs.
Overs 11-15
Nawaz conceded three runs in the 11th over from three singles, aiming to restrict the Lankans. Shadab continued from the other end, giving away five runs in the 12th over. Sri Lanka reached 70 runs during this period. A boundary came from Nawaz’s third over as Mendis lofted the off-spinner for a boundary. Three singles ended the over with Nawaz conceding 7 runs. Shadab claimed the wicket of Nissanka after a mistimed shot, celebrating with Babar Azam. Shadab Khan celebrated after taking the wicket of Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka during the Asia Cup 2023 Super Four match. He was then pulled for a boundary by Sadeera on the right-hander’s first delivery in front of short midwicket. Two more singles ended the over, yielding six runs. A single from each ball concluded the over, giving away six runs.
Overs 6-10
Zaman returned strongly in his third over, conceding only four runs. Shaheen was hit for a boundary and a double, concluding the seventh over with seven runs. Wasim Junior, in his first over, was expensive, allowing three boundaries, as Nissanka and Mendis raised the tempo for the home side. Thirteen runs came from the first over of Wasim Junior’s spell. Nawaz bowled a tight first over, yielding only a single. Shadab was introduced for the tenth over, and he conceded five runs in
