COLOMBO, Sept 14 (Reuters) – Sri Lanka saved their Asia Cup title defence alive as they beat Pakistan by two wickets in an edge-of-the-seat thriller on Thursday to guide their place in Sunday’s ultimate in opposition to India.

Electing to bat within the rain-marred contest, Pakistan posted 252-7 in 42 overs following half-centuries by Mohammad Rizwan and Abdullah Shafique.

Kusal Mendis saved Sri Lanka’s chase on observe nevertheless it was Charith Asalanka’s unbeaten 49 which helped them clinch the final ball thriller.

The Super Four contest between the event co-hosts had successfully grow to be a semi-finals after each misplaced to India.

Electing to bat, Pakistan misplaced Fakhar Zaman early whereas skipper Babar Azam (29) fell simply when he was trying set.

Shafique (52) and Rizwan (86) steadied the innings and Iftikhar Ahmed (47) produced a breezy cameo down the order to take them previous the 250-mark.

Shadab Khan caught Pathum Nissanka off his personal bowling after which ran out Kusal Perera to peg again Sri Lanka however the collapse Pakistan needed didn’t materialise.

Mendis (91) and Sadeera Samarawickrama (48) cast a 100-run stand to place Sri Lanka’s chase again on observe.

Samarawickrama was on 41 when he was hit flush on his helmet whereas making an attempt to tug a rising supply from Shaheen Afridi.

The batter dropped his bat and helmet and sank to his knees clutching his brow.

While he was cleared to proceed, Samarawickrama was quickly dismissed. He was stumped with Iftikhar breaking the partnership.

Iftikhar (3-50) additionally denied Mendis 100 and eliminated Dasun Shanaka earlier than Afridi claimed two wickets in two balls to show the match on its head.

Needing six runs from the final two balls from debutant Zaman Khan, Asalanka hit a streaky boundary after which ran two to finish a nervy chase for his workforce.

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