The unceremonious withdrawal of Babar Azam’s team from the Asia Cup was never in the cards for the fans, who were hoping for a summit battle between India and Pakistan, the two countries’ longtime rivals. With his heroic knock at R. Premadasa Stadium on Friday, middle-order hitter Charith Asalanka accomplished the unfathomable in the fictitious semifinal of the Asia Cup 2023 between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. He became the savior for Dasun Shanaka and company.
Pakistan chose to bat first in their crucial match against Sri Lanka in match No. 12 of the Asia Cup, but it was unable to reach the winning total. As a last-minute addition to its starting XI for the fifth Super 4 of the Asia Cup, Pakistan restored Fakhar Zaman. Fakhar, though, displayed yet another batting error when the Pakistani opener was dismissed in the fifth over by Pramod Madushan.
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In the pivotal match against Sri Lanka in match No. 12 of the Asia Cup, Pakistan elected to bat first but failed to attain the winning total. Pakistan reinstated Fakhar Zaman for the fifth Super Four of the Asia Cup as a last-minute reinforcement to its starting XI. When the Pakistani opener was sent out by Pramod Madushan in the fifth over, Fakhar made yet another batting mistake.
With a 2-wicket victory at the Premadasa Stadium, Asalanka remained undefeated on 49 from 47 deliveries to ensure Sri Lanka finished ahead of Pakistan. The incredible victory ranked as Sri Lanka’s third-highest run-chase success in the Asia Cup. India and Sri Lanka, who finished in record time (12), will face off in the continental competition final on Sunday.
