Dubai: Sri Lanka have set 171 runs target to chase for Pakistan in the Final of Asia Cup 2022 here in Dubai international cricket stadium on Sunday
Earlier, Pakistan have won the toss and decided to field first against Sri Lanka in final of Asia Cup 2022.
Youngster Naseem Shah continued the first-over-wicket legacy set by Mohammad Amir and Shaheen Shah Afridi during the high-pressure T20 Asia Cup 2022 final against Sri Lanka.
The star pace sent Kushal Mendis back to the pavilion in the first over of the match. Naseem has performed well in the 2022 Asia Cup as he has seven wickets to his name in five matches.
On the other hand, Sri Lanka’s middle-order batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa played an anchoring knock of 71 not-out and bolstered Sri Lanka to finish at 170-6 in 20 overs despite a dismal start.
171 is the target for our boys 🎯#AsiaCup2022 | #SLvPAK pic.twitter.com/S9Q8UqUjBC
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 11, 2022
The hosts had lost two wickets at a paltry 23 as Pakistan pacers Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf removed both openers Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka cheaply for a duck and eight respectively.
All-rounder Dhananjaya de Silva attempted to take on Pakistan bowlers and scored at a decent pace for his important knock of 28 runs off 21 deliveries, laced with four boundaries.
Shadab Khan castled the right-handed batter Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka for a mere two and Sri Lanka, as a result, slipped to 58/5 in the ninth over.
Sri Lanka’s hero with the bat Rajapaksa then joined hands with Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva and scripted an astounding recovery for his side in the final. The pair turned the dimension of the game with a brilliant 58-run partnership for the sixth wicket.
Haris struck in the 15th over to provide a much-needed breakthrough to Pakistan as he removed Hasaranga, courtesy of a caught-behind. He chipped with a valiant cameo of 36 off 21 deliveries with the help of five boundaries and a six.
Hasaranga’s departure did not bother Rajapaksa much as he held his ground firm and kept the scoreboard ticking with assistance from Chamika Karunaratne, who scored a run-a-ball 14.
Rajapaksa top-scored for Sri Lanka in the final with a magnificent knock of 71 off 45 deliveries including six boundaries and three sixes.
What an exceptional innings under pressure! 🙌#RoaringForGlory #SLvPAK pic.twitter.com/unwSvijlJx
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) September 11, 2022
Haris led the bowling attack for Pakistan with three wickets, while Naseem, Shadab, and Iftikhar Ahmed made one scalp each.
The big match of the tournament appears to be another thriller of the Asia Cup 2022 as two strong teams of Asia are colliding each other.
Sri Lanka with the help of spinners have defeated the green team in last match of super four round of Asia Cup 2022.
Both the teams are confident to clinch a victory in the biggest tournament of Asia.Both the teams have rested yesterday and will arrive in today’s battle field with passion to win the trophy.
Baber Azam will lead green side while Dasun Shanaka will be heading the Sri Lankan team.
Whereas, not making score by Pakistan’s middle order also has matter of worry for Pakistani administration.
Sri Lanka will rely on a spin pair of Wendo Hasrenga and Mahesh Thekishna who brilliantly restricted Pakistan 121 runs in the last match of super four round.
Pakistani spectators will have eye on batters Muhammad Rizwan and Muhammad Nawaz.
Out of form batter of the green team and skipper Baber Azam will have to show his talent in the final.
– TEAMS –
PAKISTAN:
Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Shadab Khan, Asif Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain
SRI LANKA:
Kusal Mendis (wk), Pathum Nissanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Danushka Gunathilaka, Dasun Shanaka (c), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Chamika Karunaratne, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Pramod Madushan, Dilshan Madushanka
