In a nail-biting contest at the Asia Cup, Sri Lanka chased down India’s modest total of 93/5 with just 0.1 overs to spare, winning by 3 wickets. Wanindu Hasaranga was the star of the night, smashing 18 runs off 8 balls and taking 2 crucial wickets for 15 runs, earning him the Man of the Match award.
India, batting first, never quite got going against Sri Lanka’s disciplined bowling. Rohit Sharma fell cheaply, while Abhishek Sharma (25 off 13) and KL Rahul (27 off 22) were the only batsmen to provide resistance. Hasaranga and Dushmantha Chameera kept India in check, ensuring the total stayed below 100.
Sri Lanka’s chase wasn’t straightforward either. Early wickets left them in trouble at 51/4, but key contributions from Dinesh Chandimal (12 off 10) and Charith Asalanka (10 off 12) steadied the innings. The real difference came when Hasaranga counterattacked in the final overs, shifting the momentum back to Sri Lanka. Chameera’s calm finish ensured victory with three wickets in hand.
Despite the defeat, India confirmed their place in the Asia Cup Final thanks to a superior Net Run Rate (NRR). For Sri Lanka, this victory keeps their tournament hopes alive. Their qualification now hinges on their final group clash against Pakistan. A win will see them through, while if Pakistan triumphs, they will secure the much-anticipated final showdown against India.