Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Highlights, Asia Cup 2022: Hasaranga, Nissanka drive SL to 5-wicket win in Super 4 clash in Dubai

“I’m really happy because last few games I’ve given up some runs, but today I’ve made a comeback strongly with wickets. First two overs, I just tried to bowl dot balls and build the pressure. I always look to come onto the pitch positively and give my best,” says Wanindu Hasaranga, who picks up Player of the Match for his three-fer.

“Always acceptable these kind of results. The combination we have with the left-arm fast bowlers, the leg spinners – the variation we have is amazing. I think the extras were a concern in this game, and the lines the fast bowlers bowled. These are areas we can improve, if we could get early wickets in the next game that will be good,” says birthday boy and SL skipper Shanaka.

“We played well in both games, but the batting has not been up to the mark. But surely impressed with our fast bowlers, Pakistan has always produced good pacers – the way Hasan made a comeback today was good. This was definately a good learning experience, we will sit back and analyze this game, and see where we can improve for Sunday,” says Pakistan captain Babar Azam.

“Because of the three all early wickets it gave me the allowance to play my natural game and see the team over the line. Although there was extra pace from the Pakistan bowlers, I backed my skill and knew what to do. This win will help us to gain momentum and we are looking forward to doing well in the final as well,” says Pathum Nissanka.

While Hasnain and Rauf struck early to put some pressure on the opposition batters, Nissanka and Rajapaksa were firm in the 122 chase. The game didn’t go to the last over as Shanaka and Hasaranga produced brisk cameos. They chased down the total with three overs in hand.

Nissanka was composed at one end as Rajapaksa countered Pakistan bowlers with his attacking play. Skipper Shanaka played a vital cameo before Hasaranga chipped in with a 3-ball 10 to take Sri Lanka home. Sri Lanka finish on the top of the ‘Super 4’ points table.

16.4: Hasaranga cuts it behind square and he’s dropped by Nawaz in the deep. The ball goes past the boundary too.

16.6: FOUR! Hasaranga finishes with a four! Sri Lanka notch up four straight wins as they defeat Pakistan in the final ‘Super 4’ game in Dubai.

Sri Lanka win by 5 wickets

16.1: SIX!!! Good use of the pace from Shanaka, who top-edges it behind Rizwan for a maximum.

16.2: OUT! Hasnain bowls it slower and outwits Shanaka. He perishes after scoring 21 off 16 balls. Almost a collison between Hasan Ali and Iftikhar but the former manages to grab it successfully.

SL 113-5

Pakistan review for caught behind, with Mohammad Rizwan convinced that there’s a nick. But UltraEdge shows a flat line and Shanaka survives!

SL 105-4

Too easy for Shanaka!!! The SL skipper uses Rauf’s pace to whip it over fine leg and then hits the next ball over long-on for a SIX! 11 runs off Rauf’s over.

SL: 103-4

Usman Qadir oversteps on the last ball but doesn’t concede any run on the free hit. Just five runs off the over and it’s end of 14th over. SL need 30 off remaining six overs.

SL: 92-4

Fifty for Nissanka, who works the Qadir’s deliver towards long-on. A composed innings from him after SL lost three early wickets in the powerplay. Nissanka reaches his fifty in 41 balls.

SL 89-4

Usman Qadir concedes 10 runs but gets rid of Rajapaksa, who can hit some lusty blows. Mohammad Nawaz comes in next to bowl his final over. Birthday boy Dasun Shanaka has joined Nissanka in the middle

SL 83-4

11.1: Nissanka dances down the track and whacks Usman Qadir’s delivery through deep mid-wicket. SIX!

11.3: OUT!!! Qadir removes Rajapaksa, who tries to slog sweep against the googly but picks out Haris Rauf at deep mid-wicket. Sri Lanka lose their fourth wicket.

SL 80-4

Usman Qadir bowls it in Rajapaksa’s arc and he isn’t going to miss out on those. Rajapaksa whacks it over long-on for half a dozen. 11 runs off Qadir’s over and Sri Lanka reach 68-3 after 10 overs… drinks are on the field now.

SL 68-3

Missed opportunity!!! Rajapaksa charges down the track but misses, thanks to Nawaz’s delivery getting some extra bounce. Rizwan, however, fails to grab it on the first attempt.

Nissanka nudges the last ball to the leg side. Just four singles off Nawaz’s over.

SL 57-3

Usman Qadir into the attack and Rajapaksa gets down one knee to slog sweep into the deep mid-wicket stand. Rajapaksa being his usual attacking self.

SL 53-3

Brilliant work from Rauf, who tries to save a boundary by pushing the ball back. But replays show that the boundary skirting had moved from its original place. 8 runs off Hasan Ali’s over and it’s the end of powerplay.

SL 37-3

4.4: Dhananjaya was waiting for the short ball! Rauf bowls it short and Dhananjaya pulls it deep midwicket.

4.6: WICKET! Dhananjaya falls to Rauf’s pace as he chips it to Babar Azam. He departs for 9 (12).

Expensive over from Hasan Ali, who concedes three boundaries against Nissanka. He ends the over with a good length delivery and Nissanka works it on the off-side for a single. 15 off the over.

SL 22-2

Great stuff from Hasnain!!! He bowls 147ks inswinging yorker bt Nissanka blocks it in time for a single. Almost another wicket for Hasnain after conceding just three singles in the over.

SL 7-2

Another one!!! Gunathilaka throws his hands against Haris Rauf but picks up a healthy edge and Rizwan snaps it up behind the stumps.

SL 2-2

Mendis plays it away from the body but it takes the edge before flying to Iftikhar. Just two off the over… what a start for Pakistan!

SL 2-1

Kusal Mendis and Nissanka start for Sri Lanka… and Mohammad Hasnain has a wicket off the second ball!!! That gives Pakistan a glimmer of hope.

Mendis falls for duck after edging it to Iftikhar in the slips.

“We wanted to check out combinations before the big game, so that’s what the team is trying out. Both the spinners are wicket-taking bowlers. All I need to do is to support them,” says Dhananjaya de Silva.

Rizwan and Babar started conservatively but they were steady at the powerplay. After Rizwan’s exit, Babar and Fakhar took Pakistan past the 50 mark but they kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Wanindu Hasaranga was the pick of the lot with three-fer, which included two off consecutive deliveries. Theekshana, Madushan snared two wickets each, while Dhananjaya de Silva and Karunaratne picked up one wicket apiece. Pakistan lost their 

Sri Lanka need 121 runs to win

Madushan bowls a slower delivery and Haris Rauf hits it straight to Dhananjaya at long-on.

Pakistan all-out for 121 in 19.1 overs against Sri Lanka. Madushan finishes with 2/21 in 2.1 overs as Sri Lankan bowlers produce a clinical performance in Dubai.

18.4: Nawaz hits another six!!! He clears the front leg against Madushanka and hits it over long-off for half a dozen.

18.5: OUT!!! Nawaz gets run out on the next ball in an attempt to complete the second run. He dives in but falls short. Mohammad Hasnain joins Haris Rauf in the middle.

PAK 121-9

Theekshana strikes!!! Pakistan crumbling like a house of cards against Sri Lankan spinners. Usman Qadir goes for a big hit but top-edges it to Nissanka at deep midwicket. Theekshana returns 2-21 in his four overs. Two more overs to go in the first innings.

PAK 110-8

SIX!!! A much-needed boundary from Nawaz, who picks up Theekshana’s length to hit it over extra cover for a maximum.

PAK 109-7

Theekshana joins the fun!!! Pakistan lose Hasan Ali for nought after he gets a massive top edge to be caught at deep square leg. Also, Hasaranga is the fielder!

PAK 95-7

14.5: Hasaranga outwits Iftikhar, who goes for another big hit after clearing deep mid-wicket for a six on the last ball. But the next delivery is a bit slower and it slides past the bat to crash into middle and leg. Hasaranga gets his second wicket of the match.

14.6: Two in two!!! Hasaranga removes Asif Ali for a nought!!! Hasaranga beats his outside edge to hit the off stump. Hasaranga finishes with 3-21 in his four overs.

PAK 91-6

Khushdil caught by Nissanka at long-on. He walks back for 4 off 8 balls. 

Khushdil steps out to slog it but doesn’t make proper contact. He hits it high and Nissanka manages to get hold of it.

PAK 84-4

Another tidy over from Sri Lanka. Iftikhar goes for a big hit on the last delivery but gets beaten on the outside edge. Theekshana ends the over with a carrom ball as he concedes just 2 runs. 7 more overs to go!!!

PAK 80-3

Babar charged down the track with a wild swing across the line. But Hasaranga’s leg-break had the ball going straight on to the stumps. Khushdil Shah joins Iftikhar. 

A fine over from Hasaranga, who removes Babar and concedes 8 runs. SL spinners have been excellent so far!!!

PAK 74-3

OUT!!! Babar falls! Massive moment in the game as the Pakistan captain falls to Hasaranga on 30 (29). 

Excellent over from Karunaratne, who concedes just 4 runs and gets Fakhar as well. Fakhar falls after scoring 13 off 18 deliveries. Iftikhar Ahmed joins Babar in the middle. End of 10 overs and Pakistan are 66/2.

OUT!!! Zaman caught by Hasaranga in attempt to upper-cut it for a six over deep point. Hasaranga times his jump to perfection at the boundary rope.

PAK 64-2

Oustanding work from Hasaranga, who bowls four dot balls against Babar. He closes it out with a single as Babar cuts it for just a single. 2 runs off the 9th over.

PAK 62-1

No boundary for Pakistan since the field restrictions have come into play. Babar flicks Dhananjaya’s delivery to wide of deep mid-wicket and runs another double. Babar and Fakhar have added 32 off 27 after Rizwan’s early exit.

PAK 60-1

Hasaranga gives a full toss to Babar, who looks to find the gap between long-on and deep midwicket. He doesn’t find a boundary but runs a couple of runs. Just 4 runs from Hasaranga’s over.

PAK 53-1

Wanindu Hasaranga comes into the attack.

FOUR!!! Second of the over as Babar gets a thick edge and it flies past the slip fielder. Zaman hit a boundary on the first ball as he whacked it to the wide of mid-off fielder.

Fakhar gets lucky as the last ball hit him on the elbow. It kissed the stumps but the contact wasn’t enough for bails to light up. 12 runs off Madushan’s over and it’s the end of powerplay.

PAK 49-1

Dhananjaya de Silva into the attack and he keeps it tight to not offer any room to Fakhar and Babar. Just three singles off the fifth over and Madushan comes in to bowl final over of the powerplay.

PAK 37-1

OUT! Madushan gets Rizwan in his debut over!!! Rizwan goes for a big hit and top-edges it to short fine leg. Kusal Mendis calls for it and makes no mistake with the gloves on.

PAK 28-1

Debutant Pramod Madushan is into the attack for his first over.

Five wides!!! Madushanka bowls it down the leg side and it goes past wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis, who cannot stop extra runs.

Madushanka makes a good recovery to bowl five dots in the remaining five deliveries. 6 runs off his over.

PAK 25-0

Just a single to finish the over. Rizwan and Babar going along nicely so far. Rizwan works it to square leg for one… 8 runs off second over.

PAK 19-0

Maheesh Theekshana into the attack and he bowls one down the leg side. Rizwan maintains his balance despite missing his flick down the leg. Kusal Mendis whips the bails off but Rizwan is comfortably inside the crease.

PAK 14-0

Beautiful!!! Babar finishes the first over with a boundary. A forward stride and Babar makes a proper connection to hit it between mid-on and mid-off. He gets off the mark in style. 11 runs off Madushanka’s over.

PAK 11-0

Rizwan’s heart was in his mouth! He miscued the shot but it bounced just before Shanaka at mid-off. Rizwan gets a couple of runs to keep the strike.

PAK 3-0

Babar and Rizwan open for Pakistan. Madushankastarts off proceedings with the ball. Let’s begin!

PAK 0-0

Pakistan would look to use the opportunity to get some runs on the board, with Babar leading the way for a big total. Sunday will witness the rise of new champion and the two sides look to outwit each other in the preview of the tournament final.

Players line up for the national anthems. Match referee Andy Pycroft leads the umpiring crew as it enters the field.

Sanjay Manjrekar says it’s a replica of the India-Afghanistan surface. It is a good batting surface, but wrist spinners will have a big say on this surface. Excited to see how Usman Qadir fares, but this is a surface where 1,2,3 can get a lot of runs.

Babar Azam says Shadab Khan will be fit for the final, while Naseem Shah is just being rested.

“We would have also bowled first. Two changes – Shadab and Naseem are not playing, Usman Qadir and Hasan Ali are in. Shadab should be fit for the final, we just wanted to rest them to try a different combination before the final,” says Babar.

Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan(w), Babar Azam(c), Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Asif Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Hasan Ali , Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Usman Qadir.

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis(w), Dhananjaya de Silva, Danushka Gunathilaka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka(c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Pramod Madushan, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka

Two changes for Sri Lanka: Dhananjaya de Silva comes in for Charith Asalanka, and Pramod Madhusan in for Asitha Fernando.

Pakistan also make two changes as Shadab Khan and Naseem Shah sit out, Usman Qadir and Hasan Ali get a chance before the Sunday final.

Sri Lanka have won the toss and have opted to bowl.

“We’ll bowl first. Been lucky with the toss, you never know what will happen. But it’s been our charm to bowl first,” says Dasun Shanaka.

The ‘final’ before the final is minutes away as both teams look to iron out flaws before the Sunday blockbuster. The two face each other for the first time in the tournament. Toss coming up shortly… stay tuned for Live updates!

“You can’t judge a player by two or three innings. He can straightaway return to form with one or two shots,” says Gautam Gambhir on Star Sports about Babar’s lean patch in the competition.

Shadab Khan underwent some attention from the physios while batting in the previous game. He is likely to be rested against Sri Lanka, with Usman Qadir replacing him in the eleven. Hasan Ali is likely to get a chance in place of Mohammad Hasnain… stay tuned for toss and playing XIs.

The tournament ends on Sunday and Pakistan skipper Babar Azam looks to end it with a big score. His scores read 10, 9, 14, 0 so far. He will look to get back among the runs in ‘final’ before the Sunday final.

Mohammad Rizwan, on the other hand, has been consistent with two half-centuries in four games, including 78* and 71 against Hong Kong and India, respectively.

The dead rubber might present a chance to Usman Qadir, who can replace Shadab Khan if Pakistan decide to rest key players. They also have Hasan Ali in the mix.

India tried to squeeze out Sri Lanka but Bhuvneshwar faltered in the 19th over and conceded 14, which comprised two back-to-back boundaries by Shanaka. The SL captain hit an unbeaten 33 off 18 balls and Bhanuka Rajapaksa scored 25 not out to take their side past the finish line. The SL batting unit will be up against a strong bowling line-up with Naseem-Rauf-Hasnain.

“The confidence in the dressing room is great,” Shanaka said after the win versus India. “Pathum and Kusal set the tone brilliantly and (Bhanuka) Rajapaksa and I set up the chase.”

Sri Lanka and Pakistan face each other for the first time in the competition. Pakistan lead the head to head record with 13 wins, while the islanders have 8 under their belt. The teams met previously in 2019, where Sri Lanka won the T20I series 3-0.

Sri Lanka stunned defending champions India as they recorded a six-wicket win in the Super 4 contest earlier this week. 

Half centuries by opening pair of Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka led Sri Lanka to 174-4 for its third straight successful run-chase of 170-plus in the competition. Fans will expect the island nation to do an encore tonight.

Pakistan have appointed former Australian opening batter Matthew Hayden as their mentor ahead of next month’s T20 WC in Australia. Hayden served the Pakistan team in a similar role during last year’s T20 World Cup in the UAE, where the Asian side won all its five group games before losing in the semifinals to Australia.

“Hayden brings with him a wealth of knowledge about Australia conditions and I am confident his involvement will significantly benefit our extremely talented cricketers,” PCB chairman Ramiz Raja said in a statement.

Pakistan may have put up a fine show thus far in the competition, but Shadab Khan has warned his Pakistan team that there remains work to do. “I think a good team should not suffer a collapse like this in pressure situations, especially I played a rash shot. I was well set and should have finished the match,” said Shadad after the Afghanistan game.

“Like I said at the start of the tournament, we are a good team but not a champion team and that’s what is our goal. Hopefully, we will work on this and try not to repeat our mistakes.”

Dilshan Madhushanka was brilliant against India with his 3-24. He clean bowled Kohli in his second over and then removed Rishabh Pant and Deepak Hooda in his return spell to thwart India’s hopes of putting up a daunting total.

For Pakistan, Shadab Khan’s role remains crucial. He was named man of the match against Afghanistan for 1-27 and 36 with the bat.

Today’s dead rubber will present both teams with a chance to fine-tune their skillset and try out new combinations. The spotlight will be on Babar Azam, who has struggled for runs so far in the competition. While he looks to notch up his first big score, Sri Lanka expects runs from their opening duo of Nissanka and Mendis.

Pakistan entered the final after Naseem Shah smashed back-to-back sixes in the last over versus Afghanistan. Needing 11 off the last over and only one wicket in hand, he hit Fazalhaq Farooqi for two sixes to take his team home. Pakistan’s win also ended India’s slim chances to reach the final.

Afghanistan, who won their group games against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, faltered in the Super 4 stage, losing all three games. India also couldn’t make it to the final after losing to Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The focus now shifts to the last Super 4 game, which acts as a dress rehearsal for Sunday’s final.

Hello and good evening everyone! Welcome to our live coverage of the final Super 4 clash between Sri Lanka and Pakistan. The game will serve as a dress rehearsal for Sunday’s final, which has all the elements of a blockbuster. 

Pakistan entered the final with a thrilling win over Afghanistan, while Sri Lanka stunned defending champions India to record two wins in two games. Sri Lanka and Pakistan now cross paths prior to the much-anticipated final in Dubai… stay tuned for Live updates!