Spin Magic Sends Pakistan Shaheens Into Final After Thrilling Win Over Sri Lanka A
DOHA: Pakistan Shaheens booked their place in the Asia Cup Rising Stars Championship final after edging out Sri Lanka A by five runs in a tense second semi-final at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium on Friday. The victory sets up a title clash against Bangladesh A at the same venue on Sunday.
Defending a modest 154, the Shaheens relied on their spin attack to get the job done as Sufiyan Muqeem and Saad Masood shared six wickets between them. Sri Lanka A, despite a late fight led by Milan Rathnayake, finished at 148/9 after 20 overs.
Sri Lanka’s chase began explosively when Lasith Croospulle hammered 27 off just seven balls, smashing three sixes and two fours inside the first two overs. Shahid Aziz, however, ended his fiery stay to pull Pakistan back into the contest.
Vishen Halambage attempted to rebuild with small partnerships alongside Nishan Madushka and Nuwanidu Fernando, but once Muqeem removed him for a 27-ball 29, Sri Lanka’s innings unraveled dramatically. Four wickets tumbled in quick succession, leaving them reeling at 99/8 in the 14th over.
Rathnayake’s composed 40 off 32 kept the game alive until the final over, where Sri Lanka required eight runs off the last four balls. However, the Shaheens held their nerve to seal a thrilling win.
Earlier, Pakistan Shaheens posted 153/9 after being asked to bat first. Openers Mohammad Naeem and the in-form Maaz Sadaqat gave their side a brisk start with a 30-run partnership. Naeem scored 16 off 15, while Sadaqat smashed 23 from just 11 deliveries before both fell in back-to-back overs. Their departure triggered a collapse that saw Pakistan slump to 62/5 inside eight overs.
A steadying stand came courtesy of Saad Masood and Ghori, who stitched together 47 runs for the sixth wicket to revive the innings. Masood made a patient 22 from 25 balls before Dunith Wellalage broke the partnership.
Late fireworks came from Ahmed Daniyal, who blasted 22 off only eight balls, including three towering sixes, to lift the total past 150. Ghori anchored the innings and remained unbeaten with 39 off 36 deliveries.
For Sri Lanka A, Pramod Madushan spearheaded the bowling with excellent figures of 4/—, while Traveen Mathew picked up three wickets. Rathnayake and Wellalage grabbed one each.
