Sri Lanka pulled off an exciting two-wicket victory against Pakistan off the last ball to seal a final berth in the Asia Cup in Colombo on Thursday. They will now take on India in the title-round on Sunday.
Sri Lanka were comfortably placed at 210/3 after 35 overs with 42 needed off 42 balls. But the dismissals of Kusal Mendis (91 off 87) and Dasun Shanaka put them on the back foot.
The hosts needed 20 off the last three overs. Shaheen Afridi then bowled a superb penultimate over dismissing Dhananjaya de Silva and Dunith Wellalage off consecutive deliveries and giving away only four runs.
Eight were required off the last over and Zaman Khan did a good job until Charith Asalanka hit a boundary off the fifth ball. With two needed off the final ball, Asalanka (49 not out) kept his cool and clipped it towards deep square leg to seal the victory.
It was the 100-run third-wicket partnership between Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama which put Sri Lanka in a strong position.
Sri Lanka lost Kusal Perera early in their chase of 252 and then Mendis got together with Pathum Nissanka to steady the innings before the latter was dismissed for 29.
Thereafter Mendis and Samarawickrama kept the Pakistan bowlers at bay showing good application.
Iftikhar Ahmed broke the partnership as Samarawickrama (48) charged out for a big hit with Mohammad Rizwan removing the bails.
The dismissal helped Pakistan but Sri Lanka needed only 73 runs off 72 balls.
Earlier, Rizwan and Iftikhar put up a timely 108-run stand to steer Pakistan to a commanding 252 for 7 after rain reduced the Super Fours match to 42-overs-a-side contest. For Sri Lanka, the target was also 252 as per the DLS method.
Theekshana injury
Maheesh Theekshana of Sri Lanka strained his right hamstring while fielding on Thursday. He will undergo a scan
on Friday.
