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'Ye kya hogya bhai-jaan' - Fans react as Sri Lanka knocks Pakistan out of Asia Cup 2023 with thrilling 2-wicket win in Super Fours

Sri Lanka advanced to the final of the 2023 Asia Cup after beating Pakistan in a last-over thriller in the Super Fours.

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Daniel S
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PAK vs SL Asia Cup 2023

PAK vs SL Asia Cup 2023 (Source: Twitter)

Sri Lanka advanced to the final of the 2023 Asia Cup with a dramatic two-wicket victory over Pakistan in the Super Fours at the R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on Thursday (September 14). Both the teams had a chance to get over the line comfortably, but they took the match to the end to provide a nail-biting last-ball thriller. The defending champions knocked Pakistan out of the tournament and will now face India, the most successful team in the history of the continental event, on Sunday (September 17).

The rain gods came to Pakistan's rescue in their batting innings, but they also helped the Sri Lankan batters as they chased down a revised target of 252 in 42 overs. Sri Lanka lost both their openers early on, but with Sadeera Samarawickrama and Kusal Mendis steadying the ship, they bossed the middle phase. The duo stitched a 100-run partnership for the third wicket. However, Iftikhar Ahmed came to rescue Pakistan as he broke the dangerous partnership with the wicket of Samarawickrama and then dismissed Mendis as well as Dasun Shanaka.

The home team were in control until Pakistan's premium pacer Shaheen Afridi bowled a brilliant penultimate over, claiming two wickets and conceding just four, to give his side a glimmer of hope. But they could not overcome Charith Asalanka's threat as the southpaw played a fighting knock - an unbeaten 49 off 47 - to take his side over the line.

Rizwan - Iftikhar partnership brought life to Pakistan's batting innings

Earlier, Pakistan, who won the toss and opted to bat first, got off to a poor start as they lost opener Fakhar Zaman in the fifth over. His new partner, Abdullah Shafique had a cautious start to his innings but turned it around with a brilliant half-century. Babar Azam at the other end looked good, but last-match hero Dunith Wellalage stunned the Pakistan skipper with a beauty and sent him packing for 29 off 35 in the 16th over.

The visitors lost a couple of more wickets, including Shafique's, in quick succession and were in huge trouble as the scoreboard read 130/5 after 27.4 overs. But then rain came to Pakistan's rescue and Iftikhar Ahmed and Mohammad Rizwan took full advantage of better batting conditions. With Rizwan scoring 86 runs off 73 balls and Iftikhar 47 runs off 40 balls, the duo put on a hundred-plus partnership to bring Pakistan back on track, setting Sri Lanka a revised target of 252.

Here's how fans reacted to Sri Lanka's win over Pakistan in the Super Fours of the Asia Cup 2023: 

pakistan Sri lanka Asia Cup 2023