The final match of the Super 4s stage in the Asia Cup 2022 got underway between Sri Lanka and Pakistan at Dubai. The match didn’t have any significance other than being a practice game for both teams before the final on Sunday. Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka won the toss and, as has been the tradition, decided to field first.
The Pakistan opening duo of Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam walked out to bat. They got their team off to a decent start, adding 28 runs in 3.3 overs. In form batter, Rizwan, however, was dismissed early by Pramod Madushan, who got him out caught for 14.
Captain Babar Azam decided to take his time early on and get settled at the crease. However, his stay didn’t last long as he was clean bowled by Wanindu Hasaranga after scoring 30 off 29 balls. The Sri Lankan bowlers were at their absolute best, picking up wickets regularly.
No batter was allowed to settle down as the spinners Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana were successful in deceiving the Pakistan batting lineup. A cameo of 26 off 18 balls by Mohammad Nawaz in the final overs took Pakistan to 121.
The Sri Lankan chase got off to a miserable start as they lost Kusal Mendis and Danushka Gunathilaka in the first two overs. They further lost Dhananjaya De Silva and were left reeling at 29/3 after five overs. A 51-run-partnership between Pathum Nissanka and Bhanuka Rajapaksa for the fourth wicket calmed the nerves in the Sri Lankan dressing room.
Nissanka was seen at his usual best as he once again played a responsible knock in the chase. He brought up his half-century with 20 runs more needed to win. Dasun Shanaka came in and took the team closer to victory with his decent knock of 21 off 16 balls. Wanindu Hasaranga got Sri Lanka over the line by scoring 10 off just three balls. As a result, Sri Lanka registered a win by five wickets. The two teams will again meet in the final of the Asia Cup on Sunday.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to Sri Lanka’s dominating victory:
Chodo yaar match ko hmre hassan ne catch pakda hai hmre liye yehi trophy hai smjho hmne saare tournament jeet liye #PAKvsSL
— Public winner Umar (@Mareez_e_umar) September 9, 2022
Imagine the scenes again deleting that 2 sixes by Naseem Shah.#PAKvsSL
— Inception (@five_wides) September 9, 2022
Iss team ka kuch nhi hosaktaaa? itne pressure mai bhi masti karne hoti hai #HasanAli #PAKvsSL
— Fanta Stick (@FantaStick) September 9, 2022
Yes, You can keep surprise for the final.
But losing a game wearing the national flag for the sake of experiments is a bad approach. #PAKvsSL #NaseemShah #BabarAzam? pic.twitter.com/jr04BO62YL
— Dr Ahmad Digital (@DrAhmadDigital) September 9, 2022
#PAKvsSL congratulations Srilankan fans ur team played very well…. respect from Pakistan ????
— Qurbat (@Qurbat_) September 9, 2022
Toss Jito….Match Jito.#AsiaCup2022 #PAKvsSL
— Sambha (@sambhasholey) September 9, 2022
If only the afghan team had won against Pakistan…aagey ka script toh sahi se likha tha to get india in final! :p #PAKvsSL #IND #AsiaCup2022
— Varun Udeshi (@varunudeshi) September 9, 2022
Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 5 wickets. No Toss no win for Pakistan so far. #PAKvsSL
— Khan Asid ® (@KhanAsid_Speaks) September 9, 2022
Very well played Team Sri Lanka ??, In Sha Allah final will be for Team Pakistan?#PAKvsSL
— Afaq Awan (@AfakAhmedAwan) September 9, 2022
Ok. Sri Lanka won practice Match?
Now, we will see you in final?#PAKvsSL— Masab Rohan (@rohaniasm397) September 9, 2022
Even a blind person can point out that Pakistan can not play spin and their coach is former world class spinner also founder of Doosra ????????????#PAKvsSL #AsiaCup2022 @Saqlain_Mushtaq @iRashidLatif68 @TheRealPCB
— BASEER H. JAFFERY (@IamJaffery) September 9, 2022
Imagine losing from SL in final ?
can't see it happening?#PAKvsSL— Mohsin (@Mohsin26582288) September 9, 2022
Well Played Srilanka …
They truely deserve to win this Asia Cup ?
Shown great intent and performance
Lekin Jeetna Pakistan ne hi hay#PAKvsSL pic.twitter.com/074aI5kv0l— ???? ?? (@AnasDoesCricket) September 9, 2022
