Pakistan A Vs Sri Lanka A Highlights, T20 Emerging Asia Cup SF-1: Lankans Secure Final Spot With 7-Wicket Victory Over Shaheens

The Pakistan A vs Sri Lanka A, Emerging Teams Asia Cup semi-final is live on the Star Sports Network TV channels in India, with streaming available on the Disney+Hotstar app and website.

Sri Lanka A: Lahiru Udara, Nuwanidu Fernando (c), Yashodha Lanka, Lasith Croospulle, Sahan Arachchige, Pawan Rathnayake, Ahan Wickramasinghe, Dinura Kalupahana, Kavindu Nadeeshan, Ramesh Mendis, Dushan Hemantha, Nimesh Vimukthi, Nipun Ransika, Isitha Wijesundera, Eshan Malinga.

Pakistan A: Mohammad Haris (c), Abbas Afridi, Qasim Akram, Ahmed Daniyal, Shahnawaz Dahani, Mohammad Imran, Haseebullah Khan, Yasir Khan, Zaman Khan, Arafat Minhas, Mehran Mumtaz, Omair Yousuf, Haider Ali, Abdul Samad, Sufiyan Muqeem, Rohail Nazir.

Pakistan A win the toss and decide to bat first against Sri Lanka A.

The players line up and stand for the national anthems, beginning with Pakistan A, followed by Sri Lanka A.

Pakistan A: Omair Yousuf, Yasir Khan, Mohammad Haris(w/c), Qasim Akram, Abdul Samad, Haider Ali, Arafat Minhas, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abbas Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani, Mohammad Imran

Sri Lanka A: Yashodha Lanka, Lahiru Udara(w), Nuwanidu Fernando(c), Sahan Arachchige, Pawan Rathnayake, Ramesh Mendis, Ahan Wickramasinghe, Dushan Hemantha, Nimesh Vimukthi, Nipun Ransika, Eshan Malinga

The Pakistan A batters are setting an aggressive tone early on, scoring boundaries in the initial overs and putting pressure on the Sri Lankan bowlers, who are starting to feel a bit nervous.

PAK A: 24/0

Nipun Ransika makes an impact after changing ends, as Yasir Khan (2) drives a fuller delivery directly to a fielder for an easy catch. Sri Lanka A gains momentum while Pakistan A captain Mohammad Haris walks in early once again.

PAK A: 42/1

Mohammad Haris has a shaky start but manages to find the boundary with a thick edge that goes behind the stumps for his first runs. Meanwhile, Nimesh Vimukthi continues to bowl from the other end.

PAK A: 43/1

Pakistan A captain Mohammad Haris (6) departs after poorly executing a flick shot off a yorker! Eshan Malinga's precise delivery deceives the batter, who looks foolish after his impressive 71 in the previous game.

Qasim Akram now steps in at No. 4.

PAK A: 60/3

Omair Bin Yousuf breaks free by taking a risk, reverse sweeping Nimesh Vimukhti for a boundary in the 10th over. It’s the first boundary since the powerplay and marks Omair’s fifty.

PAK A: 88/3

Dushan Hemantha claims the wicket of Haider Ali (14), who is fooled by the flight as the ball turns wide, allowing the wicketkeeper to take the catch. This crucial wicket comes as the partnership was building momentum.

Left-handed Arafat Minhas steps in at No. 6.

PAK A: 99/4

LBW! Dushan Hemantha dismisses Arafat Minhas with a superb leg spin delivery, deceiving the batter, who makes the mistake of playing on the back foot. The Sri Lankan bowler is now a real threat to Pakistan's chances. Pinch-hitter Abdul Samad comes in at No. 7.

PAK A: 108/6

Omair Bin Yousuf (68) is dismissed after a failed reverse sweep off Dushan Hemantha, handing an easy catch to the fielder in the deep. It wasn't the smartest shot choice against the tournament's top bowler. Mohammad Imran Junior walks in at No. 9, while Hemantha wraps up his spell with impressive figures of 4/21.

PAK A: 135/9 (20)

Pakistan A finish their innings at 135/9 after 20 overs, with Ehsan Malinga conceding just 7 runs in his final over while claiming the wicket of Mohammad Imran Junior (13). Shahnawaz Dahani ends the innings with a couple of runs off an overthrow on the last ball, marking the lowest total posted by Pakistan A in this tournament.

Sri Lanka A's chase begin with Yashoda Lanka and Lahiru Udara at the crease, while Shahnawaz Dahani kicks things off with the new ball after his impressive six-wicket haul in the last match.

SL A: 4/0 (0.3)

Haider Ali lets a catch slip from Yashoda Lanka at mid-off after the batter mistimes his shot! After posting a below-par total, this drop only adds to Pakistan A's woes and affects their confidence.

Lahiru Udara quickly capitalizes, pulling Shahnawaz Dahani for a boundary to fine leg as the over comes to a close.

SL A: 22/0 (2.1)

Yashoda Lanka (11) is dismissed for obstructing the field in a rare call. The batter attempted a risky third run and inadvertently blocked the throw, prompting the third umpire to intervene after reviewing multiple replays. Such dismissals are a rarity in cricket.

Ahan Wickramasinghe now steps in as the new batter at No. 3.

SL A: 56/1 (5)

Lahiru Udara puts Mohammad Imran on notice, smashing him for back-to-back sixes in the fifth over of the powerplay. Sri Lanka A has already crossed the 50-run mark with an over still to go. The Lankans are making a strong case for dominance in this semifinal.

SL A: 93/2 (9)

The boundaries keep flowing after the powerplay as Ahan Wickramasinghe slog sweeps Sufiyan Muqeem for a boundary in the seventh over. Sri Lanka A is on track to comfortably secure a spot in the finals, dashing fans' hopes for another India vs. Pakistan showdown.

In the tenth over, Abbas Afridi delivers an impressive spell, conceding just 3 runs (0, 0, 1, 1, 0) against Ahan Wickramasinghe. Sri Lanka A now require 39 runs from 57 balls.

Score Summary:

• PAK A: 135/9 (20 overs)

• SLA: 97/2 (10.3 overs)

• Current Run Rate (CRR): 9.24

• Required Run Rate (RRR): 4.11

Abbas Afridi continues to shine, claiming the crucial wicket of Fernando, caught by Mohammad Haris for 9 runs off 7 balls (1 four). This puts Sri Lanka A in a challenging position as they now rely on Sahan Arachchige, who’s just stepped in.

With the score at 109/3 in 12 overs, Sri Lanka A needs 25 runs from 45 balls. The pressure is on—can they maintain their composure and chase this down?

SL-A: 109/3 (12)

Sri Lanka A need 25 runs in 45 balls

As we enter the death overs, Sri Lanka A require just 8 runs off 27 balls. Ahan Wickramasinghe’s solid 45 off 42 and Sahan Arachchige’s steady 10 off 12 have put them on the verge of victory. The final spot is within reach for the Lankans, slipping away from the grasp of the Shaheens!

SLA 128/3 (15.3)

Sri Lanka A clinch a spot in the finals, eliminating the Shaheens from the Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024. They chased down Pakistan A's target of 136, finishing at 137/3 in just 16.3 overs, winning by 7 wickets.

Now Sri Lanka A will either face India A or Afghanistan A in the final match on October 27.

PAK-A: 135/9 (20)

SL-A: 137/3 (16.3)

The Player of the Match honour goes to Dushan Hemantha for his impressive bowling performance, taking 4 wickets for just 21 runs.