Sri Lanka Clinch Six-Run Thriller to Set Up Final Clash With Pakistan
RAWALPINDI: Sri Lanka kept their tri-series campaign alive with a tense six-run win over Pakistan on Thursday, thanks largely to Dushmantha Chameera’s outstanding spell and ice-cold final over at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
This victory, Sri Lanka’s second of the tournament sealed their spot in Saturday’s final, where they will once again face hosts Pakistan. The result also officially eliminated Zimbabwe, who finish the league stage at the bottom of the table with two points.
Pakistan, chasing 185, fell just short at 178/7 despite an unbeaten half-century from skipper Salman Ali Agha.
Pakistan’s reply began cautiously as Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub added 29 before Chameera removed Farhan in the fourth over. Two balls later, the pacer struck a major blow by dismissing Babar Azam for a duck, leaving Pakistan reeling at 29/2.
The hosts’ troubles deepened inside the powerplay when Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman both departed, reducing Pakistan to 43/4. Saim contributed a brisk 27 off 18 balls with four boundaries and a six.
The rescue act came from Usman Khan and Salman Ali Agha, who steadied the innings with a 56-run stand off 41 balls. Usman played positively for his 33 off 23 before Wanindu Hasaranga removed him in the 13th over.
Agha then found solid support from Mohammad Nawaz, and the pair reignited Pakistan’s hopes with a rapid 70-run partnership off only 36 deliveries. Nawaz struck 27 from 16 balls before Eshan Malinga dismissed him in the 19th over.
With 10 needed from the last six balls, Sri Lankan skipper Dasun Shanaka entrusted Chameera with the final over — and the fast bowler delivered superbly, giving away only three runs and picking up a wicket to secure a dramatic win. Chameera finished with brilliant figures of 4/20. Malinga claimed two wickets while Hasaranga added one.
Earlier, Sri Lanka posted 184/5 after being asked to bat. Their innings was built around a strong second-wicket stand between Mishara and Kusal Mendis. After the early loss of Pathum Nissanka for eight, Mendis joined Mishara to add a rapid 66 off 35 balls.
Abrar Ahmed ended the stand by trapping Mendis lbw for a lively 40 off 23 balls, while Nawaz removed Kusal Perera cheaply shortly after. Mishara, however, continued to anchor the innings, later combining with Janith Liyanage for a valuable 57-run partnership. He eventually fell for a superb 76 off 48 balls, hitting six fours and three sixes.
Liyanage finished unbeaten on 24, and captain Shanaka chipped in with a 10-ball 17 to push Sri Lanka to a competitive total.
From Pakistan’s side, Abrar was the standout bowler with 2/28, while Nawaz and Salman Mirza claimed one wicket each.
