The Asia Cup 2023 Super 4 clash between Sri Lanka and Pakistan was an edge-of-the-seat thriller. With multiple rain interruptions, the contest was reduced to 42-overs-a-side affair with the winner being decided well late into the night.
Chasing a revised target of 252 to win as per DLS method, Sri Lanka had done well before losing back-to-back wickets to Shaheen Afridi in the penultimate over that left them needing 8 runs to win from six deliveries with three wickets remaining.
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In Charith Asalanka, Sri Lanka had a well-set batter who was on 42 off 43 and just been joined by Pramod Madushan.
Pakistan gave Zaman Khan the responsibility to defend the eight runs in what was a virtual semifinal with the winner joining India in the final.
Zaman did well in the first half of the over, allowing just two run.
Great game awareness from Pramod Madhusudan 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 . pic.twitter.com/9dmg8ERbbs— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) September 15, 2023
For Sri Lanka, it kept getting tighter with them losing a wicket off the fourth delivery thanks to a run out which saw Madushan walking off the field after managing just 1 off 3.
However, in his run out, Madushan showed great game awareness, a fact acknowledged by former India fast bowler Venkatesh Prasad later on social media.
Having missed a slower delivery from Zaman, Madushan knew his batting partner Asalanka had set off for a bye to get the strike.
However, Madushan waited in his crease and only started running once Asalanka had crossed over to ensure that the latter won’t be run out.
As it turned out, Pakistan wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan missed his throw and Zaman collected the ball and had all the time in the world to disturb the bail at the non-striker’s end.
Meanwhile, Madushan’s decision bore rich dividends for Sri Lanka as Asalanka got an outside-edge away for a four off the fifth delivery before expertly flicking the final delivery for the remaining two runs to seal a famous win for his team.
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