Charith Asalanka played a blinder of a thump as Sri Lanka staggered Pakistan in a last-over thrill ride to enter the Asia Cup last against India.

The matter-of-fact exit of Babar Azam's men from the Asia Cup was never in the content for the fans, who expected a standoff culmination conflict between the conventional opponents - India and Pakistan. Doing the unbelievable in the virtual semi-last of the Asia Cup 2023 among Pakistan and Sri Lanka, center request hitter Charith Asalanka arose as the knight in sparkling protective layer for Dasun Shanaka and Co. with his bold thump at R Premadasa Arena on Friday.

• Charith Asalanka (protesting) stayed cool as a cucumber in the last-ball thrill ride
• Charith Asalanka (protesting) stayed composed in the last-ball thrill ride

Taken part in a teeter-totter fight with Sri Lanka in match No.12 of the Asia Cup, Pakistan neglected to post a game dominating complete subsequent to picking to bat first in quite a while must-win experience. Pakistan reestablished Fakhar Zaman as a somewhat late expansion to its playing XI for the fifth Very 4 of the Asia Cup. Notwithstanding, Fakhar exhibited one more batting disappointment as the Pakistani opener was tidied up by Pramod Madushan in the fifth over.

Wellalage gets Babar
Playing a fair thump in Pakistan's last Really 4 apparatus, highest level player Babar was outmaneuvered by youthful sensation Dunith Wellalage. Lifting late in the downpour damaged challenge, Pakistan steadied its boat with Mohammad Rizwan and Abdullah Shafique, who top-scored for the Green Armed force. Shafique scored 52 off 69 balls while Rizwan stayed unbeaten on 86 off 73 balls. The wicketkeeper-hitter was helped by Iftikhar Ahmed, whose critical knock of 47 off 40 balls fueled Pakistan to 252-7 after the match was decreased to 42 overs for each side.

Mendis combines efforts with Samarawickrama
Delivering an exhilarating run-pursue in the virtual semi-last, Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama manufactured a dazzling 100-run stand to place Sri Lanka in the driving seat for a well known success. Notwithstanding, Pakistan organized a late rebound through Shaheen Afridi, who had hit Samarawickrama on the cap when the player was on 41. Iftikhar Ahmed excused Samarawickrama for 48 preceding Mendis accepted his walking orders in the 36th over. Mendis' remarkable thump of 91 had saved Sri Lanka in the chase after an extraordinary win.

Enters Shaheen Afridi

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— Nihari Korma (@NihariVsKorma) September 14, 2023

Required 42 off 41 balls, Sri Lanka lost captain Shanaka despite the fact that Asalanka kept on playing the anchor job. With Afridi offering to set things straight for his horrendous opening spell, Sri Lanka lost its seventh wickets while the reigning champs were eight runs shy of a staggering success in the last six balls. Pace ace Afridi excused Dhananjaya with a low full throw prior to getting the better of Dunith Wellalage in the penultimate over.

Regardless of getting back in the game in the downpour reduced experience, Pakistan were outmatched by an Asalanka-motivated Sri Lankan side. Zaman Khan's last over saw Pramod Madushan getting abandoned the fourth ball. With 6 expected off the last balls, Asalanka lucked out as the player got an external edge which procured him a welcome limit. Requiring 2 on the last ball, match-champ Asalanka cut the full-length conveyance behind square to stir things up around town runs and break Pakistani hearts in the virtual semi-last.

Asalanka dumps Pakistan out of Asia Cup in last finished

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— Nihari Korma (@NihariVsKorma) September 14, 2023

Asalanka stayed unbeaten on 49 off 47 balls to ensure Sri Lanka finish in front of Pakistan with a 2-wicket succeed at the Premadasa Arena. The extraordinary success was Sri Lanka's third-most noteworthy effective run-pursue in the Asia Cup. Record-time finalists Sri Lanka (12) will meet India in the last of the mainland competition on Sunday.