PAK vs SL: Irfan Pathan Lauds Sri Lanka After Their 2-Wicket Win Over Pakistan In Asia Cup 2023, Says 'Team For The Future....'
Published - 15 Sep 2023, 06:46 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:18 AM
Former India pacer, Irfan Pathan heaped praise on Sri Lanka after their two-wicket win against Pakistan in the fifth Super Fours match of the Asia Cup 2023 and said that this is a team for the future.
The fifth Super Fours match of the Asia Cup 2023 started late due to heavy rain and the game was reduced to 42 overs.
At first Babar Azam-led Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat first. In the first inning, Abdullah Shafique opened for Pakistan along with Fakhar Zaman. Shafique played a 52-run run from 69 balls with a strike rate of 75.36.
However, Mohammad Rizwan scored the highest number of runs among his teammates after he scored 86 runs from 73 balls with a strike rate of 117.81. Babar Azam, the number one ODI batsman failed to make a mark and scored only 29 runs from 35 balls.
The Men in Green gave a target of 253 runs after Matheesha Pathirana led the Sri Lanka bowling attack and displayed a stunning performance with the ball. Pathirana picked three wickets from his eight-over spell and gave away 65 runs.
Pramod Madushan also took two wickets in his seven-over spell and gifted 58 runs. Maheesh Theekshana and Dunith Wellalage picked up one wicket each in the first inning.
In the second inning, Kusal Mendis played a 91-run knock from 87 balls with a strike rate of 104.60 and helped Sri Lanka chase the target.
However, Sadeera Samarawickrama and Charith Asalanka ended the game in style after their strong partnership. Asalanka played a 49-run knock from 47 balls and Samarawickrama scored 48 runs from 51 balls and helped Sri Lanka to book their spot in the final match of the Asia Cup 2023.
Sri Lanka in the last couple of games has played exceedingly well: Irfan Pathan
The former India pacer took to his official X (formerly known as Twitter) account to shower praise on the young side. Pathan said that Sri Lanka has played well in the last couple of games and added that the team have batsmen who can bowl as well.
“Sri Lanka in the last couple of games have played exceedingly well. They have pure batters who can bowl. Long batting lineup. Team for the future for sure. #srilankacricket,” Irfan Pathan wrote.
Sri Lanka will play against India in the final match of the Asia Cup 2023 on Sunday (September 17th).
Tagged:
Asia Cup 2023 Irfan Pathan Matheesha Pathirana PAK vs SL 2023 Pakistan National Cricket Team Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2023