Sri Lanka makes way to Asia Cup Final

Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 2 wickets in super four match yesterday (14) to enter the final of Asia Cup.

This is the 11th occasion that Sri Lanka qualified for the final.

Accordingly, the Sri Lankan team will meet the Indian team at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday (17) for the Asia Cup.

Mohammad Rizwan (86 not out) and Iftikhar Ahmed (47) put up a 108-run stand to steer Pakistan to a commanding 252 for 7 after rain reduced the match to 42-overs a side contest.

However, Kusal Mendis (91) led a valiant batting display alongside Charith Asalanka (49 not out) and Sadeera Samarawickrama (48) as Sri Lanka overhauled the target in 42 overs.

After losing Fakhar Zaman early, Pakistan’s batsmen have steadied Pakistan’s innings and is turning out to be a worry for Sri Lanka. But it was once again the youngster Dunith Wellalage got the prized wicket of Pakistan skipper Babar Azam. Maiden ODI fifty for Abdullah Shafique making full use of the opportunity he got .

Mohammad Nawaz (12) was dismissed by Maheesh Theekshana on the last ball before the break. Mohammad Rizwan scored 22.

Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first in a rain-curtailed match.

Sri Lanka made an early inroads as Fakhar Zaman was bowled out cheaply, Babar and Shafique building the Pakistan’s innings.  

Due to intermittent rains, the match was limited to 42 overs for both sides according to the The Duckworth–Lewis–Stern method.

The Pakistan team scored 252 runs for 7 wickets at the end of 42 overs.

Mohammad Rizwan strengthened Pakistan’s scoreboard with 86 runs.

His innings included 2 sixes and 6 fours.

Abdullah Shafique scored 52 runs in 69 balls with 2 sixes and 3 fours for Pakistan.

Matheesha Pathirana managed to take 3 wickets for 65 runs.

Pramod Madushan took 2 wickets for 58 runs.