Sri Lanka Beat Pakistan By 5 Wickets In 'Dress Rehearsal' Match For Asia Cup 2022 Final

Sri Lanka will face off against Pakistan again, in the Asia Cup 2022 final on Sunday (September 11th)

Cricket Image for Sri Lanka Beat Pakistan By 5 Wickets In 'Dress Rehearsal' Match For Asia Cup 2022 (Image Source: AFP)

In the last Super 4 match of Asia Cup 2022, Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by 5 wickets to remain unbeaten since their second match in this tournament. Chasing 122, opener Pathum Nissanka remained as the top scorer as Sri Lanka scored 124/5 in 17 overs.

Sri Lanka lost 2 wickets inside the first 2 overs - Kusal Mendis (0) and Danushka Gunathilaka (0), and Dhananjaya de Silva (9) was dismissed in the 5th over. However, opener Pathum Nissanka held one end as he remained not out till the end. 

Pathum Nissanka remained unbeaten on 55 runs off 48 balls with 5 fours & a six. Apart from his, Bhanuka Rajapaksa (24) and captain Dasun Shanaka (21) were the other major contributors. Wanindu Hasaranga, who had already impressed with his bowling & fielding, scored an unbeaten 10 runs off 3 balls including the winning boundary for Sri Lanka.

For Pakistan, Mohammad Hasnain and Haris Rauf picked up 2 wickets each while Usman Qadir managed 1 wicket but the Pakistan total proved to be low to be defended against a spirited Sri Lankan side. 

In the first innings, With an impressive bowling performance, Sri Lanka bowled out Pakistan for just 121 runs in 19.1 overs in the last Super 4 match of Asia Cup 2022.

Wanindu Hasaranga was the top wicket-taker as he dismissed captain Babar Azam, and power hitters Iftikhar Ahmed (13) and Asif Ali (0) to destroy all hopes for Pakistan to score a credible total after losing opener and top scorer of the tournament, Mohammad Rizwan (14) in the 4th over. 

Maheesh Theekshana and debutant Pramod Madushan also grabbed two wickets each and Dhananjaya de Silva and Chamika Karunaratne managed 1 wicket each. 

For Pakistan, Babar Azam was the top scorer with 30 runs off 29 balls while Mohammad Nawaz contributed with 26 runs off 18 balls with a four & 2 sixes. Pakistan are also set to take on Sri Lanka in the final of Asia Cup 2022 on September 11th (Sunday), and they haven't done very well in the virtual rehearsal of the finale. 

Earlier, Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka won the toss & opted to bowl first against Pakistan in the 6th match of the Super 4 stage in Asia Cup 2022. This match is being played at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai. 

Brief Score:

• Pakistan - 121/10 in 19.1 overs (Babar - 30(29), Hasaranga - 3/21)
• Sri Lanka - 124/5 in 17 overs (Nissanka - 55*(48), Rauf - 2/19)