In a tension-filled encounter of the do-or-die match at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo, Babar Azam won the toss and chose to bat first. Pakistan posted a total of 252-7 in 42.0 overs (the match was reduced to 42.0 overs due to the DLS method). Sri Lanka mirrored this score, reaching 252-8 in 42.0 overs (DLS method). This victory for Sri Lanka meant that they eliminated Babar Azam-led Pakistan from the Asia Cup 2023 in what was essentially a virtual semi-final match, securing their place in the final.
The match was a last-ball thriller, with Sri Lanka needing 2 runs off the final delivery, and Charith Asalanka’s calm and composed batting sealed the deal. Notably, this was only the second time a run-chase had been completed on the last ball in the ODI Asia Cup, with the previous instance being India’s 3-wicket win against Bangladesh in the 2018 Asia Cup Final. Additionally, this was the second closest victory in terms of wickets in ODI Asia Cup history, with the closest being Pakistan’s 1-wicket win against India in 2014 and Sri Lanka’s 2-wicket win against India in the same year.
This victory marked the third-highest successful chase by Sri Lanka in Asia Cup ODIs, following their 265 against India in 2014 and 261 against Pakistan in Mirpur. It also earned Sri Lanka their 12th appearance in an Asia Cup final (ODI+T20I), the most by any team.
Top Performers of the Match
Sri Lankan wicketkeeper and Player of the Match, Kusal Mendis, played a crucial role in the must-win game. He scored his 25th ODI fifty, making 91 runs off 87 balls with 8 fours and 1 six. Notably, Mendis got dismissed in the nineties for the second time in this tournament, but nevertheless, his innings proved vital for the winning team. Mendis becomes the third-highest scorer among Sri Lankan wicketkeepers against Pakistan in ODIs, following Kumar Sangakkara’s 112 and 97 in Karachi and Colombo, respectively.
Sadeera Samarawickrama and Charith Asalanka also played crucial roles in Sri Lanka’s successful chase. Samarawickrama contributed 48 runs off 51 balls, forming a 100-run partnership with Mendis for the third wicket. Asalanka’s unbeaten 49 off 47 balls, including the winning runs on the last ball, showcased their composure and determination.
On the Pakistani side, wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan played a critical innings, remaining unbeaten with 86 runs off 73 balls, including 6 fours and 2 sixes. His partnership of 108 runs with Iftikhar Ahmed was Pakistan’s highest for the 6th wicket or below in an ODI Asia Cup match.
Iftikhar Ahmed not only contributed with the bat, scoring 47 runs off 40 balls, but also took 3 wickets, dismissing Sadeera Samarawickrama (48), Kusal Mendis (91), and Dasun Shanaka (2). Moreover, Pakistan’s makeshift opener, Abdullah Shafique, who got the opportunity due to Imam-ul-Haq’s back spasm, made an impressive maiden half-century, scoring 52 off 69 balls.
Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman’s Form of Concern
Pakistani opener Fakhar Zaman and captain Babar Azam had a lackluster tournament. Fakhar Zaman’s scores in the Asia Cup 2023 were 14, 20, 27, and 4, while Babar Azam’s scores were 151, 17, 10, and 29. These performances raised concerns for the Pakistan team, especially with the ICC World Cup 2023 on the horizon. Additionally, Pakistan was dealing with a couple of injury concerns, which could impact their chances in the upcoming World Cup.
Partnership Between Mendis and Samarawickrama Cost Us – Babar Azam
In the post-match presentation, Pakistani Captain Babar Azam acknowledged Sri Lanka’s superior performance. Babar Azam was quite optimistic that Zaman Khan would win the match for Pakistan in the final over. Babar Azam pointed out that the side is not taking wickets in the middle overs phase which is hurting them.
“In the end, we decided to bowl our best bowlers. That’s why I decided to bowl Shaheen (Afridi) the second last over and then we believed in Zaman Khan for the final over. SL played really well, they played better cricket than us, that’s why they won,” said Babar Azam.
“We weren’t up to the mark with our bowling and fielding, that’s why we lost. (One major factor that could have been different) In the middle overs, we are not bowling well. That partnership (between Mendis and Samarawickrama) cost us. We are starting well, we are finishing well, but we are not taking wickets in the middle overs,” he added.
What’s Next
Pakistan will return home and commence preparations for the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023, with their first match against the Netherlands in Hyderabad. Meanwhile, Dasun Shanaka-led Sri Lanka will face Rohit Sharma-led India in the Asia Cup 2023 final at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, on September 17th, with a reserve day on September 18th in case of rain. Before the final, there’s a dead rubber match between India and Bangladesh scheduled for September 15th.