Image Source- AFP
Charith Asalanka emerged victorious in a match that
included several interesting plot lines as Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by two
wickets in a nail-biting final ball in Colombo. By virtue of it, Sri Lanka
advanced to their 11th ODI Asia Cup final, where they will take against India
on Sunday.
Asalanka completed a nerve-wracking chase while still
unbeaten on 49 off 47 balls, although the victory was largely based on Kusal
Mendis’ 91 off 87 deliveries and Sadeera Samarawickrama’s 48 off 51. Pakistan
will reflect on what could have been as their injury-riddled attack fought
valiantly and came dangerously close to securing an unexpected comeback
victory.
With a target of 252 and a rain-shortened game of 42
overs, Sri Lanka required six runs per over right away, but they possessed two
of the tournament’s top batsmen in Mendis and Samarawickrama. The game appeared
to be in Sri Lanka’s hands during their 100-run third-wicket stand as they
smashed singles while still finding boundaries when necessary.
In fact, one of the characteristics of the pursuit was
that Sri Lanka never managed to escape with it while still maintaining the
necessary rate at six or lower. This gave off a vibe of dominance, but it also
gave Pakistan a late-game opening.
Iftikhar Ahmed, who finished with 3 for 50 in eight
overs, dismissed both Samarawickrama and Mendis against the flow of play. With
six wickets remaining, Sri Lanka needed 42 off 41 balls. Dasun Shanaka soon
followed, but Dhananjaya de Silva kept Asalanka company as the target was
lowered to 12 off 12 deliveries with five wickets remaining.
Enter Shaheen Shah Afridi, who had, by his standards,
had a rather dismal game up to that point, bowling eight overs while allowing
48 runs and taking no wickets. By the time Afridi had Dhananjaya caught at
long-on off a low full toss six balls later and Dunith Wellalage nick behind
trying to heave one across the line, Sri Lanka was seven down and eight away
with six balls to go.
Zaman Khan, the slinger who had made a dismal debut up
to that point, then enters. Asalanka miraculously took a single off the third
following a dot, leaving Madushan on strike with six needed from three. He then
allowed tailender Pramod Madushan off strike first ball. After Pakistan had
gained entry into the match, Madushan and Asalanka made a wild mix-up while
attempting to run a bye as the ball rolled away to the wicketkeeper. Madushan
was thus out of bounds at the non-striker’s end. After Maheesh Theekshana had a
hamstring injury while playing in the field, Sri Lanka was also lacking a
batter and required six runs from the next two deliveries, which put Pakistan
in the lead.
But then Asalanka edged a swipe between the
wicketkeeper and short third for four. Two from one left – with a Super Over on
the cards – but Asalanka turned an attempted yorker behind square leg, as Sri
Lanka and a packed Premadasa Stadium breathed a heaving sigh of relief.