Asia Cup 2023

‘Uff itta exciting bhi nhi krna tha’ – Fans react as Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 2 wickets to qualify for the finals of Asia Cup 2023

In the nail-biting thriller, Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 2 wickets to qualify for the finals of the Asia Cup 2023. In the finals, the defending champions will face India on Sunday. Riding on the half-century of Kusal Mendis, Sri Lanka chased the competitive target of 252 runs in overs.

Earlier, after a brief rain delay, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam won the toss and opted to bat first. His decision didn’t go well with the team, as out-of-form Fakhar Zaman failed to score runs. He was dismissed by Pramod Madushan for a mere 4 runs off 11 deliveries. However, his new opening partner, Abdullah Shafique, scored a half-century.

Shafique, in his innings, scored 52 runs off 69 balls with the help of three fours and two sixes. He, along with skipper Babar Azam, added 62 runs off the second wicket. Babar, in his innings, scored 29 runs off 35 balls with the help of three boundaries. He was dismissed by left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage. After their departure, star wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan scored a magnificent half-century.

Rizwan, in his innings, scored an unbeaten 86 runs off 76 balls with the help of six fours and three sixes. He, along with Iftikhar Ahmed, added 108 runs for the sixth wicket. Iftikhar, in his innings, scored 47 runs off 40 balls with the help of four fours and two sixes. However, both missed their milestones but led Pakistan to a comfortable position. In the end, Pakistan posted a competitive total of 252/7 in 42 overs.

Pakistan failed to turn the momentum of the game

Chasing a massive total of 253 runs, Sri Lanka got off to a shaky start. They lost opener Kusal Perera for just 20 runs. Parera, who was looking in great touch, was dismissed while trying to steal a quick single. However, after his departure, Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis added 57 runs for the second wicket. Nissanka, in his innings, scored 29 runs off 44 balls with the help of four boundaries.

After his departure, Mendis continued his dominance with the bat. He, along with Sadera Samrawickrama, added 100 runs for the third wicket. Samrawickrama, in his fighting innings, scored 48 runs off 51 balls with the help of four boundaries. After his departure, Mendis also lost his wicket as he was dismissed by Iftikhar for 91 runs off 87 balls with the help of eight boundaries and a six.

In the end, Charith Aslanka stood up for Sri Lanka as he scored 49 runs off 47 balls with the help of three fours and one six. He took the game away from Pakistan and led Sri Lanka to a thrilling victory. With this, the hopes and excitement for the India vs. Pakistan finals in the Asia Cup are once again shattered. Now both arch-rivals will meet each other in the ODI World Cup 2023 on October 14. Meanwhile, the finals of the Asia Cup 2023 will be played on Sunday, September 17.

Here is how fans reacted to Sri Lanka’s formidable victory:

pic.twitter.com/k5mOqntosR

— 🦁ChauhanSahab🦁 (@chauhandwarrior) September 14, 2023

Before the start of Asia Cup, Pakistan was making a lot of noise.
Pakistan was arguably the best bowler in the world but he turned out to be injury prone or ineffective.
In the name of spinner, an ordinary bowler like Shadab who could not even bowl like a part-timer in the…

— Satya Prakash (@Satya_Prakash08) September 14, 2023

Pakistan is not even second best team of ASIA 🤣

— Arnav Shukla. (@Akshay_Brigade) September 14, 2023

But bhaijaan hum lumber one h😭😭

— ñⁿ (@au7_xu8) September 14, 2023

Congratulations
Srilanka is better composed team than India 😄

— Bilal Nasir Khan (@BilalNasirKhanI) September 14, 2023

One of the best matches in Asia cup history, well played both teams

— Rahul Varma (@urscoolrahul) September 14, 2023

https://twitter.com/jingpingaoc/status/1702406297193521550

Well bowled Zaman. 👏👏 but Pakistan 🤣😂😂🤣😂

— Pratik (@fake_engineer7) September 14, 2023

What a run chase this is against Pakistan – they knocked out Pakistan from Asia Cup. A victory to remember for Sri Lanka, they played like champions without their premier bowlers!
Super duper hit match

— Mukesh Bangra (चौधरी) (@MukeshBangra12) September 14, 2023

SRI LANKA HAVE DONE IT…!!!
Great match

— Mukesh Bangra (चौधरी) (@MukeshBangra12) September 14, 2023