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Sri Lanka vs Pakistan match in Asia Cup 2023 ends in a uncommon equal runs and overs state of affairs
In a nail-biting encounter that stored cricket followers on the sting of their seats, defending champions Sri Lanka secured a thrilling victory over Pakistan by two wickets on the final ball. This intense showdown was a must-win match for each groups, figuring out their entry into the Asia Cup 2023 ultimate, the place they may face India on September 17.
Sri Lanka’s Asia Cup ultimate stint
Sri Lanka’s triumph marks their twelfth look within the continental cup ultimate, with 11 of them within the ODI format. Having received the coveted title six instances up to now, they’re no strangers to the pressures and expectations of such finals. Their opponents within the ultimate, India, boast a formidable seven Asia Cup victories.
Pakistan’s aggressive innings
This riveting recreation unfolded amidst altering fortunes, influenced by accidents and rain interruptions. Pakistan, stricken by accidents, batted first on this 42-overs-per-side contest, posting a aggressive whole of 252/7. Mohammad Rizwan‘s distinctive unbeaten knock of 86, supported by worthwhile contributions from Abdullah Shafique (52) and Iftikhar Ahmed (47), set the stage for a fiercely aggressive encounter. Matheesha Pathirana‘s spectacular efficiency, taking 3/65 for Sri Lanka, added additional intrigue.
Additionally READ: Babar Azam reveals the reason behind Pakistan’s last-ball defeat against Sri Lanka – Asia Cup 2023
Sri Lanka’s heroic response
Sri Lanka’s response was equally heroic. Guided by stellar performances from Kusal Mendis (91), Sadeera Samarawickrama (48) and Charith Asalanka (49), they managed to succeed in the goal of 252 runs.
Within the essential moments of the fixture, Sri Lanka had a requirement of simply 12 runs from the final two overs, having 5 wickets in hand. Nonetheless, Shaheen Afridi‘s spectacular bowling effort allowed Pakistan to make a comeback by conceding solely 4 runs and taking two wickets, leaving Sri Lanka needing 8 extra runs to win.
Debutant Zaman Khan then delivered a powerful ultimate over, making it a state of affairs the place Sri Lanka required six runs from the final two balls, with Asalanka dealing with. Displaying nice composure, the left-handed batter smashed a boundary in the direction of third-man after which rigorously positioned the ball within the open deep square-leg space to safe the 2 runs wanted to win the sport.
Distinctive state of affairs within the match
The competition however witnessed an uncommon flip of occasions associated to the DLS technique. Regardless of interruptions resulting from rain, Sri Lanka discovered themselves chasing the precise whole Pakistan had set.
In commonplace cricket situations, the group batting first units a goal, and the chasing group should surpass it. Nonetheless, this explicit recreation took an unconventional flip. Sri Lanka’s goal remained 252 runs, which matched Pakistan’s whole. This case arose resulting from rain interruptions prompting the usage of the DLS technique, a normal process for adjusting targets in rain-affected fixtures.
Initially scheduled for 45 overs per aspect resulting from rain, the sport confronted additional interruptions throughout Pakistan’s innings, shortening it to 42 overs per aspect. Regardless of Pakistan’s 252/7 of their 42 overs, the DLS technique set Sri Lanka a goal of 252 runs, one run lower than it might need been in a typical state of affairs.
Historic lead to Sri Lanka vs Pakistan encounter
The conflict between Sri Lanka and Pakistan within the coveted cup left a outstanding imprint on cricket historical past. In a really extraordinary flip of occasions, the sport achieved a distinction by no means seen earlier than in worldwide cricket. Regardless of each groups tallying an identical runs inside the similar variety of overs, there was no want for the same old tiebreaker.
Historically, such a state of affairs would result in a fascinating tiebreaker to determine the winner. Nonetheless, this distinctive match witnessed Sri Lanka securing victory with out the need of any extra contest.