Sri Lanka came on top in what was essentially a dress rehearsal for the upcoming final against Pakistan on Sunday. Both Pakistan and Sri Lanka have already qualified for the Asia Cup 2022 Final. Pakistan, however, would have to come back stronger in the next game if they want to win the final.
Coming to the game, it began with Sri Lanka winning the toss and asking Pakistan to set up a target. Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam came back in hope of getting a good start for the team. Babar has been struggling with form in the continental tournament and looked to get back to form ahead of the final. Although the Pakistan captain started well, he could not play a confident inning as he got out at just 30 runs. Rizwan, Pakistan's most consistent batter also departed early at just 14 runs. The next batter also could not stitch up a big partnership as wickets continued to fall.
Mohammad Nawaz came up with a decent inning of 26 but it wasn't enough to take Pakistan to a good score. In the end, the Men in Green could only produce 121 in 20 overs. Wanindu Hasaranga was the pick of the bowlers from the Sri Lanka side as he took three wickets. Maheesh Theekshana and Pramod Madushan also took two wickets each to bring down Pakistan's batting lineup.
Coming on to chase what looked like a small total, Pakistan were brought into the game by Mohammad Hasnain and Haris Rauf as the duo combined to take three quick wickets, leaving Sri Lanka lingering at 23/3 in 4.6 overs. Opener Pathum Nissanka, however, kept the run flow going. He kept the team in the hunt with a match-winning knock of 55 runs off 48 balls to eventually take Sri Lanka across the finish line despite losing a couple of wickets in the end.
Sri Lanka remain undefeated in the Super Four and would go to the final with massive confidence. All eyes are now set at the Asia Cup 2022 final between Sri Lanka and Pakistan on September 11th.
Let's look at how Twitter reacted to Sri Lanka's win in the last match of the Super Four.Β
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Sri Lanka ace the dress rehearsal before the final to end the Super Four phase on a high π#SLvPAK | #AsiaCup2022 | π Scorecard: https://t.co/5cRoSjOfZG pic.twitter.com/SyjueGh0lk
β ICC (@ICC) September 9, 2022
Never mind not our day!
Letβs hope we are keeping our A game for the finals.Thing I was so happy to see was M Hasnain fast bowling specially in the power play. Boy he was bowling quick π₯with swing and bounce.
Bring the cup home boys π΅π°#PAKvsSL
β Ahmad Shahzad π΅π° (@iamAhmadshahzad) September 9, 2022
Babar Azam reminding his team-mates that he is the captain after a review was taken without asking him #PAKvsSL #AsiaCup2022 pic.twitter.com/5ygqcsw29A
β Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) September 9, 2022
Balls above 140 KPH in #AsiaCup2022 :
Pakistan - 177
All other combined - 113Wow!π²#SLvsPAK #PAKvsSL pic.twitter.com/9S6ah8A7eF
β Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) September 9, 2022
Fourth consecutive win for Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup 2022. Bowlers were very impressive to keep Pakistan to 121, both Pakistan openers ranked No.1 and No.2 in T20I batting rankings and Pakistan No.2 ranked T20I team in world. Played, Sri Lanka. π±π° #AsiaCup #SLvPAK #Cricket
β Daniel Alexander (@daniel86cricket) September 9, 2022
Very reassuring run-chase from Sri Lanka. Nissanka is a classy player.
β Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 9, 2022
Props to Sri Lanka for backing Dasun Shanaka's talent over the years. Until last year, he had 53 inns with batting average only 17 and SR 107. This year, he has 417 runs at average 38 and SR 144. When you back a talent in this fickle format, it pays off. #AsiaCup
β Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) September 9, 2022
Lions go marching on and on! π¦
Sri Lanka finish the super 4 round of the #AsiaCup2022 UNBEATEN! ππππ
That's a great birthday present for skipper Dasun Shanaka! π#RoaringForGlory #SLvPAK pic.twitter.com/8OFZN3W5Yb
β Sri Lanka Cricket π±π° (@OfficialSLC) September 9, 2022
Not too disappointed with todayβs game, Sri Lanka have shown all their cards while Pakistan didnβt, irrespective of todays result Pakistan will start as clear favourites in the final
β Osama. (@ashaqeens) September 9, 2022
Both of them had already understood that Pakistan had lost and then they decided to play "Catch catch" πππ#AsiaCup2022 #PAKvsSL pic.twitter.com/R3XS482XZS
β smilee (@smiley_club1) September 9, 2022