Ahead of the Asia Cup final, Sri Lanka won its Super 4 game against Pakistan today. In this low-scoring game, Sri Lanka registered a dominating victory by 5 wickets. This win will boost the confidence of Lankan players before the final.
After winning the toss, Sri Lanka chose to bowl first. Openers Babar Azam (30) and Mohammed Rizwan (14) made a partnership of 28 runs for the first wicket. Later, Rizwan got out. Fakhar Zaman (13) and Azam made a 35-run stand together. Both of them got out within no time when they were looking set in the crease. After that, Pakistan started losing wickets at regular intervals. The combined effort from Lankan bowlers like Wanindu Hasaranga (3/21), Pramod Madhushan (2/21) and Maheesh Theekshana (2/21) helped their team in getting Pakistan all-out for 121 in 19.1 overs.
Sri Lanka got early blows while chasing this low total. Opener Kusal Mendis got out in the first over. Danusha Gunathilaka got out in the second over and Dananjaya de Silva got out in the fifth over. At that point, Sri Lanka’s score was 29/3. Everyone thought that Pakistan will make this a close game. But Pathum Nissanka (55*) and Bhanuka Rajapaksa (24) made a partnership of 51 runs for the first wicket and had put Lanka in a good position.
After that, Rajapaksa got out but Dasun Sanaka (21) gave good support in Nissanka. In the process, Nissanka scored his fifty as well. finally, Sri Lanka made 124/5 in 17 overs and won the game. Both teams will face each other in the final on Sunday (September 11).