‘Agle saal aao’ – Fans react as Sri Lanka beat Pakistan in thrilling match, qualify for Asia Cup 2023 Final

The deciding match of the 2023 Asia Cup turned out to be a good battle between bat and ball. On a slow wicket in Colombo, the batters batted very well and showed their skills of strike rotation on a tricky wicket. In the end, it was the better application of the home side which led to their win against Pakistan. As a result, Sri Lanka will now face India in the final of the tournament at the same venue.  

On a slow track, Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss and elected to bat first. Pakistan batters could not get going easily on this wicket. Fakhar Zaman was dismissed for just 4 runs by Pramod Madushan. Babar Azam scored 29 runs in 35 balls. At one stage, Pakistan was reduced to 130/5, thanks to a good bowling performance from the Sri Lankan bowlers. 

That was when rain interrupted the match. After the rain break, there was a complete turnaround in the Pakistani innings. In the last 14.2 overs. Pakistan managed to score 122 runs in the last 14.2 overs at a run rate of 8.6. Mohammad Rizwan and Iftikhar Ahmed were involved in a 108-run stand for the sixth wicket. The duo helped Pakistan to score 252 runs in their 42 overs.  

Clinical run chase from the home side

Sri Lanka got a very good start and continued it throughout their innings. Kusal Perera scored a brisk 17(8) and was undone by a run out from Shadab Khan. Pathum Nissanka scored 29 runs in 44 balls and threw away his wicket. The third-wicket partnership between Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama sealed the match for Sri Lanka.  

Samarawickrama scored 48(51) and Mendis scored 91 runs and took Sri Lanka closer towa. The absence of Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf was clearly felt, as Pakistan could not break the partnership between the two middle-order batters quickly. By the time Pakistan got rid of Samarawickrama, the game was pretty much done and dusted. Sri Lanka won the match by 7 wickets.  

Here’s how the fans reacted to Sri Lanka’s win –

Sri lanka were about to be tagged as the biggest chokers ☠️

— Gaurav Mohanty (@mohantygaurav28) September 14, 2023

https://twitter.com/BilalNasirKhanI/status/1702406540849029293?s=20

Thanks guys❤️My TV export is going to increase so, I will give them 20% cut

— Xi Jingping (parody) (@jingpingaoc) September 14, 2023

https://twitter.com/Akshay_Brigade/status/1702406374398075385?s=20

One of the best matches in Asia cup history, well played both teams

— Rahul Varma (@urscoolrahul) September 14, 2023

@DeathStromAJ pic.twitter.com/b0SBpQ6Xse

— Nehil Sharma (@nehil1421) September 14, 2023

https://twitter.com/Dipsdj007/status/1702406351052578946?s=20

https://twitter.com/_HumHindustani/status/1702406263760724377?s=20

Well played Asalanka 🔥

— Deepanshu Thakur (@realdpthakur17) September 14, 2023

अगले साल आओ

— शैतान…….. (@Devji412) September 14, 2023