Match Center

Right then, this has been quite a one-sided affair and we hope that the finals will be much more thrilling! Pakistan and Sri Lanka would have used this game as a chance to fine-tune their skills and game plans. The final showdown will take place on 11th September (Sunday) at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT). Do join us in advance for the build-up. Until then, it's goodbye and cheers!

Wanindu Hasaranga is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for figures of 4-0-21-3. He says that this is how he tries to enter every game. He claims he is happy with his bowling performance and admits that he has been expensive in the past few matches. Mentions that the plan was to bowl dot balls and put pressure on the batters and that got him the wickets. Ends by saying that they can put up a similar performance in the final as well.

Dasun Shanaka the skipper of Sri Lanka says that he will always accept this kind of a birthday gift. Explains that the different combinations they have in bowling has helped them do well against any batting order. Admits that extras have been a concern for them and in the bowling department the fast bowlers still need to do a bit more. Mentions that he is confident that they will improve and come back better in the final match.

Babar Azam the captain of Pakistan says that they batted well in the Powerplay but couldn't continue the momentum. He praises his bowlers for their performance and says that Hasan Ali filled in for Naseem Shah well. Ends by saying that they need to improve some aspects of their game and come back stronger in the final.

Time for the presentation...

Pathum Nissanka is up for a chat and he says that since three early wickets fell, it gave him the time to play his natural game and take time to settle in. Mentions that although there was extra pace on offer from Pakistan, he was confident about his batting ability. Admits that this knock will help him take the momentum into the final.

The game was lost for Pakistan in the first innings itself as they failed to play out their full quota of overs. Babar Azam and Mohammad Nawaz got off to decent starts but a batting collapse resulted in them just crossing the 120-run mark. The Sri Lankan spinners took 6 wickets and completely dominated proceedings in the first half of the game. Sri Lanka did get off to a circumspect start but had enough quality in their ranks to canter towards a comprehensive win.

Pakistan came out with intent and bowled well to begin proceeding as their opening bowlers extracted pace off the wicket. Mohammad Hasnain and Haris Rauf were outstanding all game picking up two wickets each but it was the spinners that failed to perform. They were unable to emulate the bowling effort of their opponents and conceded runs far too freely. They were once again poor in the field and still have a lot of work to do before the finals. This game would have given them a good opportunity to analyze their weakness and will be hoping to come back stronger.

Sri Lanka got off to a nightmarish start as they lost 2 wickets in the first two overs and the chase suddenly looked really different. Dhananjaya de Silva came in and stuck around for a bit but was dismissed soon after with Sri Lanka reeling at 29 runs for the loss of 3 wickets. Bhanuka Rajapaksa played a counter-attacking cameo and along with Pathum Nissanka put on a 51-run partnership to take their team to a position of safety. The latter scored an unbeaten 55 to take his team home along with the skipper Dasun Shanaka.

This has been a walk in the park for Sri Lanka as they have achieved the target with 3 overs to spare and with 5 wickets in hand! They have chased well once again and are now on a four-match winning streak. Who would have expected that after their opening loss to Afghanistan? Pakistan will know that this game is inconsequential in the context of this tournament but would have liked to keep their winning momentum going.

FOUR! Wanindu Hasaranga finishes things off in style! This is on good length and outside off, Wanindu Hasaranga makes room and guides it wide of third man for a boundary. Sri Lanka win by 5 wickets.

Fuller and around off, Wanindu Hasaranga makes room and drills it wide of deep point for a couple of runs. Scores Level!

FOUR! Dropped by the fielder at deep third man. Mohammad Hasnain bowls it back of a length, outside off. Wanindu Hasaranga cuts it uppishly towards the third man and the fielder in the deep dives forward but misses it and the ball goes for a boundary.

A huge shout for LBW but turned down! This is full and on middle and leg, Pathum Nissanka looks to work it away, but gets beaten and the ball deflects off his pads towards square leg. There is an appeal for LBW but the finger stays down, the batters get a leg bye instead.

Wanindu Hasaranga makes his way out to the middle with just 9 runs needed now.

OUT! CAUGHT! A bit of confusion in the deep but the catch is taken safely. Mohammad Hasnain bowls it fuller and slower this time Dasun Shanaka tries to go big but mistimes it completely and there has been a collision in the deep between Hasan Ali and Iftikhar Ahmed but Hasan Ali pouches the ball and Dasun Shanaka has to depart.

SIX! Way into the stands! This is on a hard length and on leg, Dasun Shanaka stays there and swings at it, but he gets a top edge and the pace takes it way over the fine leg fence for a maximum. Sri Lanka need 9 more runs to win.

Mohammad Hasnain (2-0-5-1) comes back into the attack.