Dubai September 7 2022: Sri Lanka all but secured a place in the Asia Cup final through a thrilling win with one ball to spare against India, who came close again but couldn’t beat the Dubai curse on sides batting first. Since the start of 2020, Hong Kong and Scotland remain the only international teams to have lost when chasing at this ground.
Only an India defeat to Afghanistan can now jeopardise Sri Lanka’s progress to the final. India were left needing Pakistan to lose both of their remaining matches and lose big. And, oh, an India-Pakistan final was ruled out.
Winning the toss might be a considerable advantage but Sri Lanka were not short of brilliance. Dilshan Madushanka led them with the ball, taking 3 for 24, and was supported by Chamika Karunaratne and Maheesh Theekshana. Rohit Sharma rose above the difficult conditions to score 72 off 41 while others managed just 93 off 79, but Sri Lanka dragged India back at the death, conceding just 38 in the last four overs.
In the chase, openers Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka looked like winning it easily but Yuzvendra Chahal and R Ashwin took four wickets for 13 runs to make it 64 off 35. However, Bhanuka Rajapaksa and captain Dasun Shanaka saw them home in dramatic fashion.
