Srinagar, Sep 14: Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 2 wickets in super four match to enter final of 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.
Sri Lanka will take on India in final on Sunday.
Earlier, Mohammad Rizwan (86 not out) and Iftikhar Ahmed (47) put up a timely 108-run stand to steer Pakistan to a commanding 252 for 7 against Sri Lanka after rain reduced the Super Four Asia Cup match to 42-overs a side contest. Opting to bat in the crucial fixture, opener Abdullah Shafique (52 off 69 balls) shared a 64-run stand with skipper Babar Azam (29).
But it was Rizwan and Iftikhar who provided the final flourish, taking Pakistan across the 250-run mark.
After losing Fakhar Zaman early, both Pakistan’s batsmen have steadied Pakistan’s innings and is turning out to be 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 (22) was at the middle.
Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first in a rain-curtailed match.Sri Lanka made an early inroads as Fakhar Zaman is bowled out cheaply, Babar and Shafique building the Pakistan’s innings. There were changes galore for Pakistan as Imam ul Haq, Faheem Ashraf, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Salman Ali Agha missed out, replaced by Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Haris, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Wasim and Zaman Khan.
Muhammad Haris, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jnr and Zaman Khan get the chance to prove themselves.(KNS).
