The Road to Glory: Sri Lanka to Face India in Asia Cup 2023 Finals
Sri Lanka’s journey to the Asia Cup final was nothing short of thrilling. They displayed a clinical approach in their run-chase against Pakistan at the R. Premadasa Stadium. As the match reached its climax, nerves gripped the team, but they managed to secure a heart-pounding two-wicket victory. Get ready for the epic final clash against India!
The host lost five wickets for 36 runs and had to scramble for a thrilling victory in the final over bowled by Zaman Khan.
In a high-pressure situation of defending seven runs, the debutant showcased remarkable skill by giving away just two runs off the first four balls. However, the turning point arrived when the ball found the edge of Charith Asalanka’s bat, resulting in a crucial boundary. With two runs required off the final delivery, Zaman Khan erred with a delivery on the pads, allowing the left-hander to flick it for a couple. The capacity crowd erupted in deafening cheers
Prior to the chaos, Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama’s 100-run partnership for the third wicket demonstrated effective chase preparation. They rotated strike against spinners and capitalized on boundary opportunities to maintain control over the required run rate.
Openers Kusal Perera and Pathum Nissanka were the driving force behind an onslaught of boundaries, as they strived to match the DLS par score in a game heavily affected by rain. The stage was set for a thrilling encounter. Prior to this, Pakistan, having chosen to bat and faced a rain delay of two hours and 15 minutes, were grappling at 130 for five in the 28th over when rain disrupted play once more.
Pakistan’s batting performance could be divided into two contrasting halves, with a 30-minute rain-break in between. During the second phase, Mohammad Rizwan, unbeaten at 86 from 73 deliveries with 6 fours and 2 sixes, and Iftikhar Ahmed, who contributed 47 runs off 40 balls with 4 fours and 2 sixes, orchestrated a sensational 108-run partnership. This partnership significantly boosted Pakistan’s innings, allowing them to amass 122 runs off just 86 balls following the rain interruption
It was a turning point in the match as the pitch seemingly transformed under the covers. With determination and aggression, Mohammad Rizwan and Iftikhar Ahmed seized the moment. In the very first over of pacer Pramod Madushan’s second spell, they both unleashed towering sixes. Rizwan’s fearless approach continued in the next over against Dunith Wellalage, where he confidently swept for a six and added a boundary. Matheesha Pathirana also felt the pressure, conceding two boundaries in a single over. In a remarkable display of grit, Maheesh Theekshana, despite sustaining a hamstring injury while attempting to save a boundary, soldiered on but faced a tough challenge, giving away 12 runs in his final three overs.
As the game approached its climax, Pramod Madushan’s slower deliveries became easy to anticipate. Sensing an opportunity, Iftikhar smashed a crucial six to complete a scintillating 74-ball century partnership with Rizwan. Yet, despite this brilliant effort, it fell short of what was needed for victory.
After displaying a clinical approach in its run-chase, Sri Lanka’s nerves showed towards the end in a two-wicket win over Pakistan at the R. Premadasa Stadium.
The host lost five wickets for 36 runs and was forced to scramble over the line, into the teeth of a thrilling final over, bowled by Zaman Khan.
Defending seven runs, the debutant conceded just two runs off the first four balls before the ball took the edge of Charith Asalanka’s blade and went for a boundary. With two needed off the last delivery, Zaman fatally strayed on the pads and the left-hander flicked it for a couple amidst the deafening roar of a capacity crowd.
Before the chaos, Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama’s 100-run partnership for the third wicket was a lesson in setting up a chase. The duo ran hard to pick up the ones and twos when the spinners operated in tandem and hit the odd boundary when they missed their lengths to ensure that the asking rate never got out of hand.
The injection of intent came from openers Kusal Perera and Pathum Nissanka, who fetched a flurry of boundaries with the aim to keep abreast of the DLS par score in a rain-hit game.
Earlier, after electing to bat following a two-hour 15-minute delay in the start of play due to rain, Pakistan found itself floundering at 130 for five in the 28th over when the heavens opened again.
On either side of a 30-minute rain-break, Pakistan’s innings was a tale of two halves. Mohammad Rizwan (86 n.o., 73b, 6×4, 2×6) and Iftikhar Ahmed’s (47, 40b, 4×4, 2×6) 108-run partnership helped Pakistan ransack 122 off 86 after the interruption.
The pitch seemed to have eased up under the covers as Rizwan and Iftikhar cut loose in the first over of pacer Pramod Madushan’s second spell, laying into him with a six each. Rizwan showed Dunith Wellalage no respect in the following over, sweeping his flighted deliveries for a six and a four. Matheesha Pathirana was driven and pulled for two boundaries in one over. Maheesh Theekshana, who injured his hamstring while trying to save a boundary, limped through the last three overs of his spell and went for 12 runs off his last.
When Madushan’s slower deliveries became too predictable at the death, Iftikhar tonked him for a six to complete a 74-ball century stand with Rizwan, which wasn’t enough at the end.
Scores
Pakistan: 252/7 in 42 overs (Abdullah Shafique 52, Mohammad Rizwan 86 n.o., Iftikhar Ahmed 47; Matheesha Pathirana 3/65)
Sri Lanka: 252/8 in 42 overs (Kusal Mendis 91, Sadeera Samarawickrama 48, Charith Asalanka 49 n.o; Iftikhar Ahmed 3/50).
Target: 252 in 42 overs (DLS method).
Asia Cup 2023 Next match India v/s Sri Lanka
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