From a relatively comfortable position at 210-3, Sri Lanka nosedived to 246-8, their dramatic downfall spicing up the Asia Cup contest against Pakistan. Shaheen Afridi added insult to injury by picking up two wickets in an over while giving away just four runs, leaving Sri Lanka in a precarious position – 8 to win off 6, with three wickets remaining. Sri Lanka managed to retain their composure to punch a ticket to the final.
Chasing 252 in 42 overs was always going to be a daunting proposition, but a couple of healthy middle-order partnerships and fortitude towards the end enabled Sri Lanka to glory against a formidable Pakistan attack. Kusal Perera hit the ground running, smashing four boundaries in seven balls, before a direct hit from Shadab Khan from point caught Perera short of his ground at the bowler’s end, despite a dive. The early setback didn’t put a kibosh on Sri Lanka, as Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka maintained the required run-rate in a half-century alliance, setting the tone for what turned out to be a nervy yet successful chase.
SPOT ON! 🎯
Arguably one of the finest fielders, @76shadabkhan runs the dangerous looking @KusalJPerera out with a stunning direct-hit! 👏🏻💥
Tune-in to #AsiaCupOnStar, LIVE NOW on Star Sports Network#PAKvSL #Cricket pic.twitter.com/oxR1X3wLWt
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) September 14, 2023
