Asia Cup 2023: Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka Help Steer Sri Lanka To A 2-Wicket Win Over Pakistan, Set Up Final Vs India - In Pics

Kusal Mendis produced an outstanding 91 and was well supported by Charith Asalanka's gutsy unbeaten 49 as defending champions Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by two wickets in a dramatic Super Four match on Thursday to set up an Asia Cup final against India. Fifties by Abdullah Shafique (52) and Mohammad Rizwan (86 not out) had led Pakistan to a competitive 252 for 7 off 42 overs after electing to bat on another rain-affected day. But Sri Lanka replied in kind through Mendis and Asalanka as they inched past the target off the last ball of the match, also spoiling the possibility of an Indo-Pak summit clash. The final will be played on Sunday.

Updated: 15 Sep 2023 10:57 am

Asia Cup 2023 Super 4: Sri Lanka vs Pakistan | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena

Sri Lankan team members celebrate their two wickets win in the Asia Cup cricket match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka shakes hands with Pakistan's captain Babar Azam after their two wickets win in the Asia Cup cricket match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Pakistan's Iftikhar Ahmed celebrates the wicket of Sri Lanka's Dasun Shanaka during the Asia Cup cricket match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Pakistan's wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan misses a ball as Sri Lanka's Kusal Mendis completes a run during the Asia Cup cricket match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka's Sadeera Samarawickrama and Kusal Mendis celebrate hundred runs partnership during the Asia Cup cricket match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

A ball delivered by Pakistan's Shaheen Shah Afridi hits on the helmet of Sri Lanka's Sadeera Samarawickrama during the Asia Cup cricket match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka's Kusal Mendis celebrates scoring a half century during the Asia Cup cricket match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka's Kusal Mendis plays a shot during the Asia Cup cricket match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankans cheer during the Asia Cup cricket match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Pakistan's Mohammad Rizwan plays a shot during the Asia Cup cricket match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Pakistan's Mohammad Rizwan celebrates scoring a half century as Iftikhar Ahmed watches during the Asia Cup cricket match bet ween Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Pakistan's Iftikhar Ahmed plays a shot during the Asia Cup cricket match bet ween Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Asia Cup 2023 Super 4: Sri Lanka vs Pakistan | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawarden

Sri Lankan wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis stumps to dismiss Pakistan's Babar Azam during the Asia Cup cricket match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Colombo, Sri Lanka.