SL vs PAK: Pathum Nissanka's stellar knock leads Sri Lanka to a thumping win 

Sri Lanka in action [PC: Twitter]

A clinical bowling performance by Wanindu Hasaranga and a tremendous half-century by Pathum Nissanka  helped Sri Lanka decimate Pakistan by five wickets in the final Super four encounter of the Asia Cup 2022 on Friday. Although it was a dead rubber, the hosts exhibited their strength to perfection with this astounding victory. 

Hasaranga masterclass reduces Pakistan to a sub-par total

Hasaranga bowled a fantastic spell [PC: Twitter]

After being put into bat first, Pakistan got off to an undesirable start, losing Mohammad Rizwan for a run-a-ball 14. While Fakhar Zaman registered yet another failure, skipper Babar Azam crawled his way through to a sloth-paced 29-ball 30, before being cleaned up by Wanindu Hasaranga. 

Babar's dismissal opened the floodgates for Sri Lanka, as they made four more Pakistani batters bite the dust within the next 32 deliveries. Only Mohammad Nawaz. could put up a fight for the Men in Green, scoring a quick-fire 18-ball 26 with the help of one boundary and two sixes. 

Hasaranga amazed the spectators with his guile and accuracy. The experienced leg-spinner knocked over three Pakistani batters, conceding just 21 runs in his four overs. 

Pathum Nissanka show seals the deal for Sri Lanka

Pathum Nissanka [PC: Twitter]

Sri Lanka had an even more horrendous start than their counterparts, as Mohammad Hasnain and Haris Rauf removed their top three in the blink of an eye. 

However, this mini-collapse had a little effect on Pathum Nissanka and Bhanuka Rajapaksa, as the dynamic duo stitched a match-winning stand of 51 runs off just 39 balls. 

After Rajapaksa was removed by Usman Qadir for a well-compiled 24, Nissanka and captain Dasun Shanaka added 33 further runs, ensuring Sri Lanka's victory. 

Continuing his red hot form, Nissanka stroked a gorgeous 48-ball 55*, while Shanaka smoked one four and two sixes for his aggressive 21. Their heroic efforts paved the way for Sri Lanka to record a morale boosting victory before the all-important final. 

Brief Scores

Pakistan: 121 (19.1)
Babar Azam 30 (29), Mohammad Nawaz 26 (18);
Wanindu Hasaranga 3/21 (4), Maheesh Theekshana 2/21 (4)

Sri Lanka: 124/5 (17)
Pathum Nissanka 55* (48), Bhanuka Rajapaksa 24 (19);
Haris Rauf 2/19 (3), Mohammad Hasnain 2/21 (3)

Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets. 

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