Asia Cup 2023: Mendis-Samarawickrama and Asalanka shine in Sri Lanka's victory, made place in the final by defeating Pakistan by 2 wickets

In the Super 4 match of Asia Cup 2023, Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by 2 wickets with the help of Kusal Mendis's half-century and brilliant innings by Asalanka-Samarawickrama. With this Sri Lanka qualified for the final. He has made it to the finals for the 11th time. Now they will face India in the final on Sunday. Due to rain, this match was initially of 45-45 overs. After this rain knocked again in the match. Because of this the match had to be played in 42-42 overs.  

Batting first, Pakistan scored 252 runs losing 7 wickets in 42 overs. Mohammad Rizwan scored the maximum 86 (68) runs for the team. In this innings he hit 6 fours and 2 sixes. Abdullah Shafiq played a half-century inning of 52(69) runs. Abdullah hit 3 fours and 2 sixes in his innings. 

Apart from him, Iftikhar Ahmed scored 47 runs in 40 balls with the help of 4 fours and 2 sixes. Rizwan and Iftikhar made an important partnership of 108 (78) runs for the sixth wicket. Mathisha Pathirana took maximum 3 wickets for Sri Lanka. Apart from him, Pramod Madushan was successful in taking 2 wickets. Dunith Vellalage and Mahish Tikshina got one wicket each. 

Sri Lankan team, chasing the target, won the match by losing 8 wickets in 42 overs and scoring 252 runs. Kusal Mendis scored the most runs for Sri Lanka. Facing 87 balls, he scored a half-century of 91 runs with the help of 8 fours and one six. Charith Asalanka remained unbeaten on 49 runs in 47 balls with the help of 3 fours and a six. Sadira Samarawickrama played an inning of 48 runs in 51 balls with the help of 4 fours. Samarawickrama and Mendis made a partnership of 100 (98). Iftikhar Ahmed took maximum 3 wickets for Pakistan. Shaheen Afridi took 2 wickets. One wicket went to Shadab Khan's account. 

Pakistan's playing eleven: Fakhar Zaman, Abdullah Shafiq, Babar Azam (captain), Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Haris, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Zaman Khan. 

Sri Lanka's playing eleven: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadira Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjay de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (captain), Dunith Vellalagage, Mahish Teekshana, Pramod Madushan, Mathisha Pathirana.