Dubai: Sri Lanka thrashed Pakistan by 5 wickets on the back of Pathum Nisanka’s half-century after bowlers led by spinner Wanindu Hasaranga scored a brilliant performance. Pakistan had set a target of 122 runs in front of Sri Lanka in the sixth match of the Asia Cup Super Four, which the hosts achieved 5 wickets with 18 balls to spare. Both the teams will meet in the f
inal on Sunday (September 11). The title match will be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Chasing Pakistan’s target of 122 runs, Sri Lanka made five in 17 overs with Nisanka’s unbeaten 55 off 48 balls with five fours and a six and his fourth wicket partnership of 51 runs with Bhanuka Rajapaksa (24). Won by scoring 124 runs on the wicket. Captain Dasun Shanaka also scored 21 runs in 16 balls. The Sri Lankan team remained unbeaten in the Super Four stage. The Pakistan team was bundled out for 121 runs in 19.1 overs in front of the magic of leg-spinner Wanindu Hasranga (3 for 21) and off-spinners Mahish Teekshan (2 for 21) and Dhananjay de Silva (18 runs in one wicket). . Playing his first match, fast bowler Pramod Madusan (2 wickets for 21 runs) played well with the spinners.
Pakistan scored 121 runs in 19.1 overs
Earlier, after losing the toss against Sri Lanka, the Pakistan team scored 121 runs in 19.1 overs. Captain Babar Azam scored the highest 30 runs. Wanindu Hasaranga took the highest 3 wickets for Sri Lanka and did not let the Pakistan batsmen survive. However, this match is a dress rehearsal of the final as both the teams will play in the title match on Sunday.
Hasranga took 3 wickets
Hasaranga took three wickets for 21 runs. Off-spinners Mahish Teekshan (2 wickets for 21 runs) and Dhananjay de Silva (18 runs one wicket) and making their debuts. Fast bowler Pramod Madusan (two wickets for 21 runs) played him well, as Pakistan’s team was reduced to 19.1 overs. Pakistan’s batsmen had to struggle to score runs after the power play.
Babar Azam played an innings of 30 runs
For Pakistan, only captain Babar Azam (30) and Mohammad Nawaz (26) could cross the 20-run mark. Coming to bat after losing the toss, Pakistan lost the wicket of in-form Mohammad Rizwan in the fourth over, who after scoring 14 runs in 14 balls, was caught by wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis off Madusan. Opener Azam looked in rhythm. He opened the account with a four off Dilshan Madushanka and then hit a four on Madusan as well. Pakistan scored 49 runs for one wicket in the power play.