Sri Lanka and Pakistan played out a last-ball thriller at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Thursday (September 14).
The Asia Cup 2023 Super-4 clash was reduced to 42-overs-a-side affair due to multiple rain interruptions.
Opting to bat first, the Men in Green posted 252/7 on the bard thanks to Mohammad Rizwan’s stunning 86* off 73 balls and vital knocks from Abdullah Shafique (52) and Iftikhar Ahmed (47).
In reply, Kusal Mendis led a determined batting effort for Sri Lanka with a brilliant knock of 91 in 87 balls. He was well supported by Charith Asalanka (49 not out) and Sadeera Samarawickrama (48) as the hosts successfully overhauled the target on the final delivery.
Pramod Madushan also played a part in Sri Lanka’s victory as he sacrificed his wicket in the last over of the match.
Madushan was run out on the fourth delivery of the last over. In his dismissal, the fast bowler showed great game awareness.
Having missed a slower delivery from Zaman, Madushan knew his batting partner Asalanka had set off for a bye to get back on strike. However, Madushan waited in his crease and only started running after Asalanka crossed over to ensure that the latter doesn’t get run out.
As it turned out, Pakistan wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan missed his throw and Zaman collected the ball before disturbing the bail at the non-striker’s end.
For his game awareness, Pramod Madushan was lauded by former India pacer Venkatesh Prasad, who took to social media platform X and wrote: “Great game awareness from Pramod Madushan yesterday night. Did not leave the crease until Asalanka made it. Very impressive. @ashwinravi99 probably one of the finest at making good use of the rules would be v impressed.”
Veteran India off-spinner R Ashwin also quoted Prasad’s post and wrote: “Absolutely! Just ???? He missed the ball, Asalanka was charging down the pitch (high octane pressure ) and yet this guy stood his ground until the keeper missed his attempt and then started running. All I can say is that these sort of reactions come from practice and this happens mostly in Tennis ball cricket.”
With this victory, Sri Lanka secured a berth in the Asia Cup 2023 final, where they will face India on Sunday (September 17) in Colombo.
