Updated: 15 September 2023
Asia Cup 2023: Sri Lanka Will Face India In Final, Beat Pakistan By Two Wickets In A Thrilling Contest. It was a do-or-die match for both teams from the Asia Cup 2023 final point of view. It was the most entertaining and thrilling encounter between two Asian giants. As expected toss and match got delayed due to rain at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat first. Initially, the match was reduced to 45 overs.
Pakistan set a competitive target of 252/7 in 42 overs with the help of wicketkeeper Md Rizwan’s brilliant knock of 86* on 73 balls and Shafique’s 52 from 69 deliveries. Iftikhar Ahmed contributed a valuable 47 runs in 40 balls. Rizwan and Iftikhar turned the match on its shoulder after a short rain interruption. Skipper Babar Azam bold by young sensation Dunith Wellalage on 29 from 35 balls. Mathessha Pathirana took 3 wickets. After the rain match was reduced to 42 overs during Pakistan’s innings.
From the first ball of the inning, Sri Lankan batsmen knew that the target of 252 was not as easy, especially in front of a pace attack. They lose their opening pairs early.
Shadab Khan took Lankan openers, Kusal Perera and Pathum Nissanka’s wicket early. But then after Sri Lanka’s middle order, duo Kusal Mendis and Samarawickrama started an attack on Pakistan bowlers. S Samarawickrama made 48 on 51 balls. Kusal Mendis brilliantly scored 91 on 87 balls.
Shaheen Afridi took two wickets on two balls in the 41st over. But Charith Asalanka made the things for Sri Lanka and Asian tigers registered two wickets win over Pakistan. Now they will face India in Asia Cup 2023 finals on September 17 at the same venue.
Both Pakistan and Sri Lanka have been defeated by India in the Super 4s of Asia Cup 2023. It is worth noting that in the Asia Cup 2022, Sri Lanka beat Pakistan twice in the tournament. First in the Super 4s and second in the finals at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Asia Cup 2023 Super 4s PAK vs SL Playing 11
Pakistan made 5 changes in the playing 11 announced last evening. Fakhar Zaman and Abdullah Shafique replace Saud Shakeel and Imam ul Haq. Zaman Khan debuted in this match.
Mohammad Haris, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Md Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Zaman Khan.
Sri Lanka Playing 11
Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Pramod Madushan, Matheesha Pathirana.