Follow UsSri Lanka pulled off a win in a thriller in Colombo on Thursday (September 14) in a virtual semi-final clash against Pakistan to book their place in the Asia Cup 2023. In a rain-marred match, Sri Lanka were given the task of chasing down 252 runs in 42 overs. They never let the asking rate go up to alarming rates and, in the end, got home off the final delivery with just two wickets to spare.
First, it was a 100-run stand for the third wicket between Kusal Mendis (91) and Sadeera Samarawickrama (48) that laid the platform, and Charith Asalanka (49*) eventually took his side home under pressure.
Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka was full of praise for the southpaw. "We had the game under control, but the loss of wickets took it till the last over. We gave them a chance to come back in the game, but we knew Charith could get us home," Shanaka said at the post-match presentation.
"We gave away wickets in the first 10 overs, and Kusal and Sadeera played brilliant knocks. I think they are the best players of spin in the Sri Lanka squad. And Charith, he showed great character. Special feeling, back-to-back finals. I must thank the crowds who kept supporting us and looking forward to the finals," he further added.
Pakistan skipper Babar Azam felt that it was, in fact, the century stand between Mendis and Samarawickrama that eventually cost his team of getting over the line.
"In the middle overs, we are not bowling well. That partnership [between Mendis and Samarawickrama] cost us. We are starting well, we are finishing well, but we are not taking wickets in the middle overs," the Pakistan skipper said.
Player of the match Mendis admits that he was nervous especially after the last two wickets fell in a hurry.
"Happy with my performance, happy to get to the final. Those two wickets fell, and we were nervous, but with Charith in the middle, we had hope. He's done this in one game against Afghanistan. I think we also bowled well, so happy to be in the final," Mendis said.
Sri Lanka, who won the 2022 edition of the Asia Cup, albeit in the T20 format, will take on India in a battle for Asian supremacy on Sunday (September 17) at the R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.