Sri Lanka’s Charith Asalanka punches within the air as he completes the profitable as Pakistan’s Zaman Khan watches through the Asia Cup cricket match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Colombo.
| Photograph Credit score: AP
Batting allrounder Charith Asalanka described his sensational 47-ball 49 not out because the second greatest knock of his profession after taking Sri Lanka to the ultimate of the Asia Cup with a two-wicket win in a last-ball thriller in opposition to Pakistan right here on Thursday.
The 26-year-old Asalanka stored his composure regardless of a mini batting collapse within the again finish as Sri Lanka chased down a goal of 252 within the final supply.
“I simply thought how can I get two to hit a niche and run exhausting as a result of it’s a huge subject and simply instructed Pathirana to run exhausting,” he mentioned after the match.
“I assumed both he’ll bowl a bouncer or a yorker after which he bowled a slower ball, so it was in my aspect. I’m very excited.
“Mendis and Sadeera batted very well. I wished to complete. That’s my function. I can rank this innings second place in my guide,” he added.
Kusal Mendis slammed a 87-ball 91 to arrange the chase. He added 100 off 98 balls with Sadeera Samarawickrama (48).
“Proud of my efficiency, pleased to get to the ultimate,” mentioned Mendis, who was adjudged the Participant of the Match.
“These two wickets fell down and we had been nervous, however with Charith within the center we had hope. He is completed this in a single recreation in opposition to Afghanistan. I believe we additionally bowled very well, so pleased to be within the remaining.
“Wanindu, Kumara and Dusmantha are important bowlers, however we’ve got these bowlers who’re bowling properly. This can be a younger unit.” Profitable captain Dasun Shanaka praised his crew for reaching back-to-back finals.
“We had the sport below management, however the dropping of wickets took it until the final over. We gave them an opportunity to return again within the recreation, however we knew Charith might get us house,” he mentioned.
“We had a dialogue earlier than batting and we mentioned the errors we made within the India recreation. We gave away wickets within the first 10 overs, and Kusal and Sadeera performed good knocks.
“I believe they’re the perfect gamers of spin within the Sri Lanka squad. And Charith, he confirmed nice character. Particular feeling, again to again finals.” Disillusioned with loss, Pakistan captain Babar Azam pulled up his bowlers for a below-par efficiency.
“Sri Lanka performed very properly, higher cricket than us. We’ve not been on top of things within the bowling and fielding. That’s the reason we misplaced the match,” he mentioned
“Within the center overs, we didn’t bowl properly. That partnership price us. We began properly, ended properly, however center overs weren’t nice. We’ve lacked that.”