COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Charith Asalanka kept his nerve and lifted Sri Lanka into the Asia Cup final with a stunning two-wicket victory over injury-hit Pakistan on DLS Thursday.
Needing six off the last two balls, Asalanka edged a boundary to third man against debutant fast bowler Zaman Khan before turning the pacer to square leg for two runs to carry Sri Lanka to 252-8 in a rain reduced 42-over-a-side Super 4 game.
Sri Lanka will face India in Sunday’s final.
Asalanka had an unbeaten 49 off 47 balls as Sri Lanka survived the last two overs against Zaman and experienced Shaheen Shah Afridi (2-52).
“We gave them a chance to come back, but Charith held his nerves,” Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka said. “Charith was great, character of a great player. Special feeling to play back to back finals.”