Pakistan vs Sri Lanka highlights, Asia Cup 2023 Super 4: SL wins on last ball, PAK knocked out

Debutant Zaman to bowl the last over. Full toss and Madushan takes a single on the first ball. Pakistan has taken a review here for LBW. A nothing review. Length ball, Asalanka swings but gets beaten, dot ball. Another wild swing but only a single. Six runs off three balls. Full and wide, Madushan swings, gets beaten, Asalanka runs, Rizwan throws to bowler who hits the stumps at bowlers end.

Six needed off two balls. Asalanka on strike. Swings, gets an edge and it goes for FOUR!!!!! Two needed off last ball.

Debutant under pressure. Asalanka on strike on 47. Fielders taking time. Asalanka clips it towards square leg and takes an easy two. SRI LANKA WINS ON LAST BALL!!

Pakistan has been knocked out. Sri Lanka qualifies for final.

Afridi to bowl the penultimate over. Asalanka sneaks in a double from the hands of long-off fielder on the first ball. Huge cheer from the crowd. A yorker but Asalanka gets a single nevertheless. Dot ball. Nine off nine needed. Full toss, Silva hits it but long-on catches! OUT! de Silva is gone. Umpires are checking for height no ball. Drama! He’s given out.

Dhananjaya c Mohammad Wasim Jr b Shaheen Afridi 5(7)

Dunith Wellalage at the crease now. OUT! Afridi induces outside edge and an easy catch for Rizwan. Two wickets in two balls. Sri Lanka seven down.

Wellalage c Rizwan b Shaheen Afridi 0(1)

Afridi on a hattrick. Saved. Single off the last ball.

Sri Lanka needs 8 off last over.

Zaman Khan is into the attack now. Starts off with a perfect yorker. Short ball, Asalanka pulls but only for a double. Two dots. Pressure on Sri Lanka. Asalanka hits it over the mid-off and it goes for four! Terrific hit. Single to end the over. Eight runs off it.

12 runs off 12 balls needed.

Afridi into his eighth over. Asalanka smacks Afridi over the head for a four. Pressure releasing boundary certainly for Sri Lanka. Eight runs off the over.

Iftikhar into his eighth over. Quick running and sneaks in a double off long-on’s hands. Asalanka looks line in control of what he’s doing. Not trying to risk any shot. But Shanaka tries to slog and hands a catch to long-on. Sri Lanka five down.

Shanaka c Nawaz b Iftikhar Ahmed 2(4)

Dhananjaya de Silva at the crease now. Double to end the over. Five and a wicket from it.

Afridi back into the attack. Overthrows and two runs. Gift for Sri Lanka. Babar Azam is not happy. And now, Abdullah Shafique is down near the boundary and requires a physio to check on him. Looks like he has stretched his hamstring here. All good and we are back. A half-hearted appeal for LBW by Pakistan but no one is interested enough to call DRS. Just three runs off the over.

Iftikhar bowling his seventh over. WHAT A CATCH! Mendis is out on 91. Leading edge and a terrific catch diving forward at the covers by Haris. Umpires are checking. Iftikhar has taken a massive wicket here.

Kusal Mendis c Mohammad Haris b Iftikhar Ahmed 91(87)

Dasun Shanaka at the crease now. Quick running here and two very close calls here. Six runs off the over and a wicket.

Shadab bowling his ninth over. He has bowled another tight over, just two runs off it.

Iftikhar into his sixth over. Asalanka slog sweeps again towards midwicket, Shaheen Afridi does incredibly well to save a certain boundary and keeps it as two runs. 200-up for Sri Lanka. Mendis goes aerial and goes for a SIX over midwicket. What an innings he is playing. Into his 90s now.

Shadab continues. Less than a run-a-ball remaining for Sri Lanka here. Shadab bowling a tight bowling, not allowing the two batters to open arms. Just two runs off the over.

Iftikhar continues. Asalanka sends him for a SIX over deep midwicket. What a great slog sweep that. Rizwan drops him on the next ball. A faint outside edge and he lets it slip away. Seven runs off the over.

Zaman Khan is into the attack now. Full toss and a cracking shot by Mendis but good fielding by the fielder at deep square leg, only a single. Both dealing in singles and doubles here. Mendis ends the over with a four. Bit of width and he cuts it past the point fielder.

Iftikhar comes back into the attack with his off spin. Starts off with two dot balls. Samarawickrama comes down the track and hits it towards deep midwicket for a double. 100 partnership between the two. OUT! Samarawickrama is stumped! Tried to come down the track again and gets beaten off a straight delivery.

Samarawickrama st Rizwan b Iftikhar Ahmed 48(51)

Charith Asalanka joins Mendis at the crease. Starts off with a quick single, almost suicidal. Four runs and a wickes in that over.

Shadab continues. Mendis sweeps it straight in the gap between long-on and deep midwicket and runs two. Good fielding there in the deep. Now Samarawickrama hits in the same area, but this takes the aerial route and it goes for four. Eight runs off the over.

Afridi into his sixth over. Starts off with a wide. Looks like barrage of short balls are on the cards by Afridi. Two balls, none yet though. Slow ball, full, straight, and Mendis drives it for four down the ground. Afridi has a field set up for short balls but has bowled full throughout the over. Only on the last ball he bowls one short and hit straight on Samarawickrama’s helmet. He’s down on the ground. Physio runs in to check on him. He has stood up now. He’s giving concussion test. Physio is taking his time.

Good news. He’s okay to continue.

Shadab is back into the attack. Neither Mendis nor Samarawickrama is taking any risk. Misfield by Afridi at short third and he lets the pair run three. Almost a run-a-ball needed for Sri Lanka here. Six runs off the over.

Afridi back into the attack. The two dealing in singles here. 150-up for Sri Lanka. High intensity running by the pair. Trying to get quick doubles on every opportunity. Five runs off the over.

Nawaz continues. Samarawickrama and Mendis look in complete control here. CLOSE! Almost a leg stump yorker, Mendis tries to sweep it and nearly chops it onto the stumps. Four runs off the over.

Iftikhar Ahmed with his third over. His slow deliveries have been effective against both batters and Sri Lanka does not want to rush it either. Ahmed to Mendis, FOUR! Perfect timing and placed to perfection at the deep cover point. Six from the over.

Mohammad Nawaz comes back. Mendis takes a double and three singles giving Sri Lanka five from this over. SL needs 113 off 114.

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PAK vs SL, Asia Cup 2023: Maheesh Theekshana strains hamstring while fielding

Sri Lanka spinner Maheesh Theekshana has strained his right hamstring while fielding during the Asia Cup match against Pakistan on Thursday.

Iftikhar Ahmed continues. He gives just two singles from this over.

20 overs done and we are now assured of a result in the game irrespective of any rain delays. Wasim Jr continues. Brilliant strike rotation from both batters to keep themselves busy at the crease. They have utilised the middle overs well to keep the required run rate in control. Kusal Mendis cuts for a double to bring his fifty! A well-made half-century from the wicketkeeper-batter. 8 from this over as Sri Lanka needs 120 in 126 balls.

Iftikhar Ahmed comes into the attack. Two doubles and four singles fetch 8 for Sri Lanka in this over as they continue to main their run rate at the moment.

Time for a change in bowling. Mohammad Wasim Jr comes back into the attack, replacing Nawaz. Five singles from this over.

Shadab Khan with his fifth. Khan to Samarawickrama, FOUR! B rings up 100 for Sri Lanka in the 18th over. He takes a single. Khan to Mendis, FOUR! Mendis joins the party and hits the second boundary of the over to bring the run rate and required rate to parity. Khan to Samarawickrama, FOUR! The third boundary of the over and the duo hammered Shadab who looked until now. 14 off the over.

Nawaz has been tremendous from one end, keeping batters in check, bowling tight lines and not giving runs. He starts with four dots before Samarawickrama gets a single. He ends the over with a dot and gives only one from his over.

Shadab Khan continues after the drinks break. He rolls out the stock leg break to beat Samrawickrama and starts with three dots. Samarawickrama takes a double after pushing the full-toss at mid-wicket. Samarawickrama goes for an inside-out over covers and nearly gets a boundary but not be says the duo of Nawaz and Afridi whose combined efforts and full commitment save one run for their team. Mendis takes a quick couple to end the over with seven runs coming from it.

Mohammad Nawaz keeps things tight to give six singles and it is time for DRINKS BREAK.

Shadab Khan continues. He has looked good today, can he give Pakistan a much-needed breakthrough? Yes! Khan answers with a WICKET! He caught and bowled Dangerman Pathum Nissanka on 29. Slow and onto the wicket lines to lure the batter and Shadab inflicted second damage to Sri Lanka. Sadeera Samarawickrama came in at number four. Khan to Samarawickrama, FOUR! Pulled away by the new batter at mid-wicket to get off the mark with a boundary. Six off this over.

Nissanka c and b Shadab Khan 29(44) (4sx4)

Nawaz with his third over. He gives three singles in the first three balls. Nawaz to Menids, FOUR! Chips it over covers to get the first boundary in five overs. Seven off the over.

Shadab Khan continues from the end. Spin has definitely control boundaries as another over with just five singles for Sri Lanka.

Nawaz continues. Only three singles from his over and the required rate has jumped over 6 again.

A third change in the last three overs for Pakistan as Shadab Khan came into the attack, replacing Mohammad Wasin Jr. He gave five off his over as Pakistan somehow managed to pull back and control the flow of runs in the last two overs through spin.

Another change in the bowling as spinner Mohammad Nawaz comes into the attack for Shaheen Afridi. Nawaz bowls quick and cheap over to give just a single from his first over.

A first change by Babar in bowling as Mohammad Wasin Jr comes into the attack for Zaman Khan. Wasin to Nissanka, FOUR! Short and wide outside off and Nissanka cuts hard to send the ball racing away at the boundary. Wasim to Nissanka, FOUR! This time he relies on timing. Punches it away at the point region for the second boundary of the over. This also brings up 50 for Sri Lanka and 40 of those runs have come through fours. Wasim to Nissanka, FOUR! Bad luck for Wasim who cramped the batter and forced him to play on backfoot but the ball bounced near to the stumps and ran away for the third boundary at fine leg. 13 off the over.

Afridi with his fourth over. He starts with two dots followed by a WIDE. Afridi to Mendis, FOUR! Swinging onto the pads and flicked away by the batter at mid-wicket. Mendis gets a double in the following delivery. Seven off the over.

Zaman Khan with his third over. He bowls four dots in a row to Nissanka before the latter gets a single via a midfield by Mohammad Wasim Jr. at mid-on. Mendis guides the last delivery towards the point region to run three after two diving fielders save a run at the boundary. Four runs come from this over.

Afridi continues. Afridi to Mendis, FOUR! Angles in for the batter and Mendis does well enough to tuck the ball square of fine-leg to get off the mark in some fashion. Five dots and a boundary fetches four runs for Sri Lanka in this over.

Zaman Khan continues. Khan to Perera, FOUR! Cuts the short ball with authority to start another over with a boundary. Khan to Perara, RUNOUT! Oh no, what have you done Kusal? A suicidal run attempt after hesitation and a perfect throw from Shadab Khan ends his attacking knock abruptly. Perera departs for 17 off 8. Kusal Mendis comes in at number three at the non-striker’s end. Khan to Nissanka, FOUR! What a shot! Full and onto off and Nissanka creams it over covers for a boundary to get off the mark in the 14th delivery. Khan to Nissanka, FOUR! Two of two for Nissanka as he finds the vacant gap through the point region. An eventful over comes to an end with a wicket and 12 runs through three boundaries.

Afridi to Perara, FOUR! Uses the length of the ball, way too full and onto the legs from Afrdid and Perara clipped it away at mid-wicket to start the over with a boundary. He takes a single in the next ball. Nice recovery from Afridi who ends the over with four dot balls. 5 off this over, Sri Lanka 16 for no loss after three overs.

Debutant Zaman Khan comes from the other end. Khan starts with a dot with his slingy Malinga-esque action. He bowls a brilliant over and starts his ODI career with a maiden.

Shaheen starts with a WIDE that went down leg swinging away from Nissanka. Shaheen betters his line and delivers a bowl right on the money as it cramps Nissanka who was looking for a single. He gets a single after the ball clipped off the pads for a leg-bye run. Afridi to Perera, FOUR! Uses his wrist to send the ball away at mid-on fence. Afridi to Perera, FOUR! Great intent from Perera who saw and grabbed the opportunity to beat the inside fielder by going for an aerial route over mid-off. 11 off the first over.

Sri Lanka openers Pathum Nissanka and Kushal Perera come in the middle as Shaheen Afridi starts with the new ball for Pakistan.

Pakistan scored 252/7 and ideally, the target should have been 253 but the DLS corrected target is 252 for Sri Lanka.

Last over. Madushan to bowl. Single off the first ball. WHAT A CATCH! Shadab slashes hard, gets the edge, and the keeper takes a one handed catch to get him out.

Shadab Khan c Kusal Mendis b Pramod 3(3)

Shaheen Afridi at the crease now. Takes a single off the first ball, and more importantly gives strike to Rizwan. A quick double from the hands of long-off. Another double on the fifth ball. Full and wide, Rizwan places it towards square and it goes for four! Pakistan goes past the 250-run mark.

Only two overs left.

Pathirana to bowl. Slow ball, Iftikhar tries to go straight but the ball hits the toe end of the bat and it goes straight into the hands of mid-off. He goes for 47.

Iftikhar Ahmed c Shanaka b Pathirana 47(40)

Shadab Khan at the crease now. Fantastic over this. Only seven off it.

Madushan is back into the attack.

Theekshana is being carried into the dressing room.

He starts off with a wide.

The Sri Lankan team isn’t happy. Rizwan came down the track and towards offside. The ball goes outside the line and the umpire gives it wide. Slow ball, on length, Ifitkhar tries to slog it but the ball goes up in the air but falls well short of the fielder. Another slower delivery and this Iftikhar connects well and sends it into the crowd for a SIX. 14 runs off the over.

Theekshana into his ninth over. Another four! Iftikhar slog sweeps towards deep square leg, slight midfield there and the ball touches the boundary. Rizwan comes down the track and hits an inside out towards covers for four. What a great shot that. 12 runs off the over.

Pathirana into his seventh over. Rizwan drives towards covers for four. Pathirana mixing his lengths. Iftikhar finishes the over with a four. Width on offer on length and he cuts it past point. 12 runs off the over.

Theekshana continues. Rizwan and Iftikhar dealing in singles here. A good over, only five runs off it.

Pathirana into his sixth over. A quick double to start the over.

Theekshana is getting treatment on the sideliines.

A rather quiet over so far. Eight runs off the over.

Theekshana is back into the field.

And he’s come onto bowl. His seventh over this. Iftikhar gets into attck now as he slaps a half-tracker from Theekshana for four towards midwicket. A huge appeal by Sri Lanka on the last ball but the umpire isn’t interested. A brief discussion and no DRS taken.

Wellalage to bowl his last over. Starts off with two dot balls. Third ball, in the slot and Rizwan slog sweeps for a huge SIX over deep midwicket. Fifth ball, Rizwan sweeps again, this time towards square leg, slight midfield in the deep and it goes for four. Fifty for Rizwan with that shot.

Theekshana the fielder there might have hurt himself there while diving. He’s going off the field.

10 runs off the over.

Madushan is brought back into the attack. Rizwan welcomes him with a pull over deep midwicket for a SIX! What a shot that. Quick double by Rizwan. The intensity has upped. Nine runs off the first three balls. Iftikhar misses a full toss but it’s a front foot no-ball. Madushan bowls a wide on free hit. And again, another wide. Iftikhar gets it full and straight and he launches the ball towards site screen for a SIX. Two dot balls to end the over but Pakistan will be happy. 18 runs from it.

Wellalage continues. Full and wide, and Iftikhar drives the ball over covers for four. 150-up for Pakistan with that shot. Five runs from the over.

de Silve continues. Rizwan comes down the track and smacks the ball over the bowler’s head for a four! Only three singles after that. Seven runs from the over.

Wellalage into the attack now. Rizwan sweeps him but just for a single. Tight bowling and only three runs off the over.

de Silva into his fifth over. He’s bowling tight lines and not allowing much to hit. Just two runs off the over.

Iftikhar Ahmed is the new man in. Two balls left in this Theekshana over.

Full and wide to start with. Iftikhar pushes it to covers for two. Takes a single on the last ball. Five runs off the over.

Match has been reduced to 42 overs now. 8:10 PM IST start time.

2 bowlers can bowl a maximum of 9 overs

3 bowlers can bowl a maximum of 8 overs

The players are back after drinks break.

Theekshana is brought back into the attack. He starts by attacking the stumps. After first two balls from the over the wicket, switches sides, gives a bit of a room to left hander Nawaz who pushes for two towards square. OUT! This time the ball lands on off stump, holds its line, decieves Nawaz and crashes into the stumps. Five down Pakistan.

Nawaz b Theekshana 12(12)

The covers are coming on. Rain stops play.

Rain has stopped and covers have been removed. The players are ready to comeback into the field. And they are coming back. A brief passing shower. Wait, it starts to drizzle again and the players are going back to the dressing room. Covers coming on again.

Looks heavy and we might be in for a longer delay here.

A few positive signs are the ground isn’t fully covered and the ground staff hasn’t left the field.

Rain has stopped. Covers are coming off.

de Silva continues with his off spin. CHANCE! Rizwan tries to sweep, gets beaten, the ball hits the gloves and falls just short of the keeper. Nawaz charges down the track, smacks the ball in the air, the ball falls just short of the diving long off fielder and goes for four. Six runs off the over.

Pathirana into his fifth over. Nawaz is taking his time here to settle in. Pathirana comes round the wicket to Rizwan, on the pads and he flicks it towards midwicket for four! He’s mixing his lengths: bouncers, length balls, attempted yorkers. Nawaz gets his first boundary with an upper cut towards deep third. 13 runs off the over.

Mohammed Nawaz is the new batter in.

de Silva continues. Tight lines and only a single in that over.

Pathirana continues. Pathirana to Haris, OUT! Soft dismissal as Haris tried to hit back straight but offered a regulation catch to the bowler. Pathirana gets his second! 5 runs and a wicket from this over.

Mohammad Haris c and b Pathirana 3(9)

Dhananjaya de Silva continues. de Silva to Rizwan, MISSED! Keeper Mendis missed carrying the ball and dislodged the ball bails on time after Rizwan went out of the popping crease and missed contact with the ball. de Silva to Haris, CHANCE! He sweeps the down-leg ball and SL is confident for the fourth wicket. DRS shows no bat involved as Haris survives. Three off the over.

Change from both ends. Matheesha Pathirana comes into the attack. Shafique takes a quick double to bring 100 for Pakistan. Pathirana to Shafique, OUT! He removed the set batter on 52 by bowling a short-pitched bouncer, which was pulled away by Shafique to the hands of Pramod Madushan. Mohammad Haris, the new batter is in at number five.

Shafique c Pramod b Pathirana 52(69) (4sx3; 6sx2)

A change in the bowling attack. Dhananjaya de Silva comes into the attack. Rizwan takes a single to give the strike back to Shafique, Silva to Shafique, SIX! Steps out, down the ground maximum. Gets elevation and enough distance because of the timing. He takes a single on the following delivery to bring up his hard-fought fifty! Maiden ODI half-century for him. Nine runs from the over.

Both the batters have changed their game against Wellalage. They are playing positive cricket and trying for singles and doubles to negotiate through his tough overs. Meanwhile, Wellalage bowls another brilliant over to give just two off it.

Spin continues as Theekshana bowls his fifth over. Just three from his over.

Wellalage continues. Wellalage to Rizwan, three runs after Rizwan guides the drifting down the leg ball at fine-leg. Three singles, a double and a triple fetches eight runs for Pakistan in this over.

Mohammad Rizwan comes in at number four. Maheesh Theekshana, too, is getting a good turn and Pakistan is looking into some trouble. Rizwan who gets beaten twice by Theekshana takes a single off the last ball to get off the mark. A wonderful over by Theekshana who gives just two runs from the over.

Dunith Wellalage with his fourth. He gets a good turn to deceive Shaifique who tried to block the ball on the front foot. He is mixing the pace to keep the batters in check. Wellalage to Babar, OUT! STUMPED! Wonderful delivery that spun away for Babar and quick glove works behind the wicket by Kusal Mendis sends the set-looking Pakistan skipper on 29. Just a single and big wicket of Babar from this over.

Babar Azam st Kusal Mendis b Wellalage 29(35) 4x3

Maheesh Theekshana comes back into the attack. He tries to deceive batters with combinations of off break and carrom balls but Babar plays it perfectly to negotiate with the spin. Pakistan takes four from the over.

Drinks are on the field.

Pathirana continues. Pathirana to Shafique, FOUR! Juicy good-length ball, Shafique leaned to play a beautiful cover-drive which brought 50 partnership between these two guys for the second wicket. Pathirana to Babar, FOUR! Clipped the full-length ball using his wrist at mid-wicket for the second boundary of the over. 10 off this over.

Dunith Wellalage gives four runs from his third over.

Another change in the attack, Matheesha Pathirana comes in for Dasun Shanaka. Pathirana to Shafique, FOUR! Down the leg ball and he clips it to fine-leg for a boundary to start the over which also brings 50 on the board for Pakistan. He follows it up with three dots. Babar slaps the last ball over covers for three runs after Shanaka saves one with a timely dive at the boundary. Eight off the over.

Wellalage continues. Wellalage to Shafique, CLOSE! Shafiue defends the ball which drifted in for him but hits him on the pads. The umpire denied the appeal and Sri Lanka lost its first review due to the umpire’s call. Wellalage to Shafique, SIX! Counterattack from Shafique who charges out to clear the straight fence over the bowler’s head for a maximum. He keeps the strike with a single.

Shanaka with his third. Another quiet over as Pakistan could only manage four off this over and 40 after the first 10.

Last match star, Dunith Wellalage comes into the attack. He bowls a brilliant first over to give just a single.

Shanaka continues. Shanaka to Babar, FOUR! Cracker of a cover drive from Pakistan skipper that oozes out class from the 29-year-old. Eight off the over.

Madushan testing Babar with his accurate lines. Madushan to Babar, CLOSE! Babar punches it over the point fielder and is just inches away from the fielder’s reach, the ball races away but Samarawickrama does good enough to dive and save one run at the boundary. Three runs off the delivery. Madushan to Shafique, FOUR! First boundary for Shafique. Eight off the over.

Skipper Dasun Shanaka comes into the attack as he replaces Maheesh Theekshana. Shafique gets a single off the first ball. Babar taps in the leg-side region to take two quick doubles before ending the over with a single. Six runs from Shanaka’s first over.

Madhushan with his third. Madushan to Fakhar, OUT! Bowled! What a delivery by Madushan who gets late swing to remove Pakistan’s opener. Yorker that nipped in and dipped right at the batter’s toe to go past Fakhar’s defence to clip the stumps. Skipper, Babar Azam comes in at number three. He taps the first ball at leg-side for a dot to start his innings. Madushan to Babar, FOUR! Class written on that shot. Just uses his wrist to place the ball at the mid-wicket region for a boundary. A wicket and a boundary from this over.

Fakhar Zaman b Pramod 4(11)

Theekshana knows his lengths well and he keeps both batters busy with his variations. Just three singles as Pakistan is off to a slow start here.

Madhushan continues. He is getting decent swing in the air, even after heavy rain and moisture in the air. Shafique taps it behind square for a single to start the over. Zaman puts Shafique back into the strike with a single. Four from the over.

Spin from the other end. Maheesh Theekshana comes into the attack. Two dots and Zaman takes a single to finally put a run on board for Pakistan. Shafique, too, gets off the mark with a single off the fifth delivery as two singles come from this over.

Pramod Madushan starts with the new ball for Sri Lanka. Madushan to Shafique, dot. Shafique defended on the back foot. Shafique pushes the next ball to mid-on. Madushan to Shafique, swing and miss. a wicket maiden for Madushan to start.

The players are out in the middle. Abdullah Shafique and Fakhar Zaman opening for Pakistan. Pramod Madushan opening the bowling for Sri Lanka.

Pakistan: Mohammad Haris, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Mohammed Rizwan, Abdullah Shafique, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammed Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Zaman Khan, Mohammad Wasim

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis(w), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka(c), Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Pramod Madushan, Matheesha Pathirana

Pakistan wins the toss and opts to bat.

Two changes for Sri Lanka, changes in Pakistan playing XI as well.

“Imam has a back spasm. Fakhar comes back. Saud Shakeel has fever. Abdullah Shafique is playing,” says Babar Azam as he announces more changes in the playing XI from last night.

The match is now reduced to 45 overs per side. Toss at 5 PM. Start at 5:15 PM IST.

The covers are coming off. But the chances of another shower prevail as it is still dark over of the Premadasa Stadium.

It has stopped raining and the work to get the ground ready has begun. If all goes well, we could see the match starting in next 45 minutes.

It is still drizzling in Colombo.

We will start to lose overs from 4:30 PM IST.

While it is still raining in Colombo, there seems to be a ray of hope sneaking between the cluster of clouds.

Sri Lanka will qualify for the finals.

Here’s how:

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Asia Cup 2023: Who will play India if PAK vs SL match is washed out?

Asia Cup 2023 has entered its business end where team India has already qualified for the final while Pakistan and Sri Lanka play a virtual semifinal on Thursday at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

It is drizzling again and the covers have come back on. Dhruva Prasad from Colombo reports that it has become more than just a drizzle and could be another long wait.

The ground is fully covered. It is pelting down now.

This match will be played at a different pitch than the one where India and Sri Lanka played.

Toss could take place between 2:45 PM to 3:00 PM. The game might start at 3:15 PM if weather permits.

The main cover is off the pitch.

Pakistan has already announced the playing XI for today’s game. Five changes in the team and a debutant.

Pakistan Playing XI: Mohammad Haris, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Zaman Khan

With ground staff peeling the covers off the ground, Pakistan players have entered the field. Square is still covered, Dhruva Prasad from Colombo reports. Dark clouds are still around the stadium though.

The drizzle has stopped and the water is being removed from the covers. Groundsmen are peeling the covers one at a time.

Toss has been officially delayed due to rain.

The Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Asia Cup 2023 match will be telecast live on the Star Sports network and will be streamed live on the Disney+ Hotstar app.

It is drizzling in Colombo and the ground is fully covered. It is dark over the stadium and it looks like a delayed start is on the cards.

Wicketkeeper: Mohammad Rizwan, Kusal Mendis

Batters: Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq

All-rounders: Shadab Khan, Dunith Wellalage, Dasun Shanaka, Mohammad Nawaz

Bowlers: Maheesh Theekshana, Shaheen Afridi, Matheesha Pathirana

Sri Lanka and Pakistan, after contrasting defeats against India, will meet in a virtual semifinal in the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Thursday.

While Pakistan was outplayed by Rohit Sharma’s men in a rain-marred two-day contest, Sri Lanka gave India a scare by bundling it out for 213 before its batting unraveled in a 41-run defeat.

Read more:

Asia Cup 2023: Pakistan, Sri Lanka clash in virtual semifinal

Pakistan, desperate to win, faces Sri Lanka in a virtual semifinal of Asia Cup.

22-year-old fast bowler Zaman Khan will be making his ODI debut today after replacing Naseem Shah in the squad.

Naseem Shah was ruled out of the tournament after injuring his shoulder during the match against India earlier this week.

Here’s what bowling coach Morne Morkel has to say:

Missing Naseem Shah a big blow: Pak bowling coach Morne Morkel

Pakistan bowling coach Morne Morkel on Wednesday said missing injured pacer Naseem Shah was a big blow but hoped that another bowler would step into his shoes during a must-win Asia Cup Super Four match against Sri Lanka.

It’s big game today with both Sri Lanka and Pakistan fighting for a place in the final to meet India.

However, with the conditions in Colombo showing signs of rain interruption, here’s what will happen if the match washes out. Reminder: there’s no reserve day for this game.

Asia Cup 2023: Who will play India if PAK vs SL match is washed out?

Asia Cup 2023 has entered its business end where team India has already qualified for the final while Pakistan and Sri Lanka play a virtual semifinal on Thursday at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

Welcome to the live coverage of the Super 4 match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka set to be played here at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Stay tuned for live updates.