Asia Cup: PAK v SL Review – Sri Lanka go past Pakistan in a thriller
Pakistan and Sri Lanka crossed swords in match 5 of the Super Four stage of Asia Cup 2023 in Colombo on Thursday in virtually a semi-final clash as the winning team was going to book a place in the finals of the tournament after the seven-time champions India have already booked their ticket to the summit clash.
The match was reduced to 45 overs per side after a rain-induced delayed start of play. Pakistan opted to bat first on a slowish pitch. Abdullah Shafique scored his first ODI fifty and looked great during his stay in the middle. However, the tourists slipped to 130/5 from 100/2. After another rain interruption, the match was reduced to 42 overs per side.
Mohammad Rizwan and Iftikhar Ahmed counterattacked and unsettled the Sri Lankan bowlers. The pitch also seemed to have gotten quicker and the amount of turn that spinners were getting reduced substantially. The experienced duo formed a 108-run partnership to help the ‘Men in Green’ get to 252/7 in 42 overs.
Sri Lanka, who were given a target of 252 after DLS calculation, showed good intent against the Pakistani pacers and hit a flurry of boundaries inside the first 10 overs. After Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera wasted good starts, Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama formed a 100-run partnership to bring the Lankan Lions in control of the game.
After the two batters departed, Sri Lanka wobbled in their chase as Pakistan made them fight for every run. In the end, the match went down to the last over with the hosts requiring eight runs for a win. Debutant Zaman Khan bowled well and took the game to the last ball. However, with two runs remaining, Charith Asalanka calmly finished the match as Sri Lanka won by two wickets via DLS method.
Best batter of the match
Kusal Mendis:
The experienced campaigner played really well under pressure as he rotated strike when necessary and also picked up boundaries every now and then. He would have liked to have been there till the end to win the match for his side.
However, his 91-run knock helped Sri Lanka get to the brink and he deserves a lot of praise for the same.
Best bowler of the match
Iftikhar Ahmed:
The part-time off-spin of Iftikhar worked wonders as he dried up the runs towards the closing stages of the match and also chipped in with three wickets. Unfortunately, Rizwan dropped Asalanka off Iftikhar’s bowling when the southpaw was on 10. That wicket could have helped Pakistan script a memorable victory.
What’s next for the two teams?
Pakistan have been ousted from the competition and they will have to wait for the next edition to try and add to their two Asia Cup titles. Defending champions Sri Lanka move into the finals where they will take on India on Sunday, September 17 in Colombo.
