Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, 12th Match, Super Four at Dubai, Asia Cup, Sep 09 2022 - Ball by Ball Commentary

Aaaaand, that is all from the penultimate game of the 2022 Asia Cup. We'll see you nice and early on Sunday for the final. That will be between these two teams itself. Will Pakistan win their third Asia Cup? Or will Sri Lanka become six-time champions? Join us then. Thanks for joining us today. On behalf of Sid Monga and Chandan Duorah, this is Sreshth Shah saying ta-da!

9.30pm Time for the presentation. Let's see what the two captains have to say.

Player of the Match is Wanindu Hasaranga: 3 wickets, 2 catches, 1 run out and then the winning hits. He says: " (Happy space?) That's how I try to play when I enter the match. (Three wickets - Babar, Iftikhar, Asif) I am really happy because last few games I went for some runs. Have come back strong with some good quality wickets, so happy. I tried bowling dot balls in first few overs, that's why the three wickets came."

Winning captain and birthday boy Dasun Shanaka: " Bowling combination, starting with left-arm fast bowler, offspinner, legspinner, variation from the spinners, any kind of batting line up will be challenged. (Areas before final a concern?) Extras. Lines of fast bowlers in the early stages of the game. If we can get a couple of wickets early in the final it will be good for us."

Losing captain Babar Azam: "(Concerned with scores around 120?) Our batting wasn't up to the mark after the powerplay. We couldn't build on from there. (Happy about bowling?) Definitely. We have always produced them. Our squad of fast bowlers is great. Hasan's comeback, and the others were good too. (Lessons in loss) We have made mistakes and have a discussion before the final."

Pathan: "I dont think people are calling this out loudly enough but the Pakistani batsmen are weak against good quality spin. They struggled against Afghanistan and they struggled today. If they dont sort out their approach, they will have the same struggles on Sunday."

Adarsh: "Pressure has a different meaning in the final these days. Earlier, runs on the board had an advantage. Now, the defending bowlers are under more pressure than the chasing batters."

Maruti : "What a brilliant performance by Hasaranga . 3wickets, 2catches, 1 Runout and 10runs !!!!!"

Pathum Nissanka: "I wanted to stay there till the match was over. Although they had extra pace, I backed my skills and I knew what to do. That helped me in the middle. Certainly this game will help us gain momentum entering the final."

Ashu: "How many matches won by batting 1st in this tournament??" -- Three games. Both matches that involved Hong Kong, and India's victory over Afghanistan yesterday.

Anand: "When SL came in into this tournament. They had NO WIN in the previous 2 Asia cups. They lost the first game to AFG giving a feeling they will go back winless in this one too. But what a turn around. They go into the finals as the team with the highest points. Take a bow SL. Way to go"

Malokee: "Do they need to play final or do handshake after toss and leave! " -- The pressure of a final makes Sunday's contest a different ball-game altogether though!

9.15pm However, if there is one team who knows that every game is new .... that would be Sri Lanka. Remember, they had lost to Afghanistan in their opener, only to beat them when it mattered in the Super 4 stage. Pakistan lost to them today, but if Sri Lanka can't provide a good performance on Sunday, then today's victory will count for very little. Pakistan will do well to remember that too - this was merely a dress rehearsal.

Shareef: "Comprehensive win! but please no favorite tag, I'd rather we go as the underdogs! thank you :D Let's go SL "

shambhu: "Very comprehensive win for SRI Lanka. Let us give them credit "

9.13pm The Super 4 stage is over, and Sri Lanka are the only team to win all three games en route to the 2022 Asia Cup final. Pakistan simply didn't have the runs on the board today, and despite the three early SL wickets, their bowlers could not pull off a win. One man who thwarted Pakistan's challenge was the man at the non-striker's end at the end of the game - a classy 48-ball 55 from Pathum Nissanka takes Sri Lanka home.

SandyKam: "This is concerning. We have seen this close-collision catches many times with Pakistan. They have been lucky not to have injuries. They must practice calling out loud." -- You're correct about the technique. But the crowd at the Asia Cup has been very loud!

Target under 10.

Hasnain.

Mazahir: "@Damian, being Pakistan I do not agree that Pakistan did not try their cards, Pakistan really tried to win this one with two changes (means hiding their two cards only out of 11) but it is true that better team will win todays match, and so for that is Sri Lanka"

Jack: "Babar did not signal for DRS still umpire went for review. How is the possible ?" -- Miscommunication. The umpire thought Babar had reviewed but actually it was only Rizwan suggesting a review to Babar. Good thing there was no wicket off it! Could've been embarrassing for the umpire.

Looks like Babar hadn't gone up for the review, but the umpire Chaudhary had gone up thinking he had.

Fayaz: "@Vishal: it's not a full strength pakistan than remember. Add Naseem Shah, the bowler and hitter, Shadab Khan, one of ye best all-rounder and remove hassan from this squad, u will see a different Pak team altogether. Its correct, wait and see by Sunday, m sure SL will face the music just like India did in their 2nd game against the men in green..."

Damian: "Whatever, winning is a good habit. Some could say Pakistan is keeping their cards for Sunday. However, playing your game and wining is the best card. Weldone Sri Lanka. "

TILLE : "It was very unfair to Afghanistan who had to play 2 games in 2 successive days with less rest time as well. " -- Great point. A few of my Afghan friends have not been happy about this decision by the ACC to schedule back-to-back games for Afghanistan. More so since they were given B2 status (and not B1) despite topping their group. However, those were the tournament rules that were written up pre-competition, so every team knew what they had to do over here in the UAE.

Time for the pace merchants to return. Here's Rauf.

Imran: "@Vishal - Do you think Pakistan would have played this way then? Pakistan is not showing their cards... let's wait for Sunday. It will be different Green Team. "

Free hit. The players were ready for the next over, but they'll all have to get back in position for another Qadir delivery.