Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka with five goals in high clashes Super 4 in Asia Cup on Tuesday and maintained their tournament hopes alive. (ACC Photo) New Delhi: Pakistan survived the fiery charm from Wanind Hasarang to the edge around Sri Lanka with five goals in the conflict of Super 4 in Asia on Tuesday and keeping the hopes for the tournament alive. Pakistan chased a modest 134, sometimes crashed, but eventually ended at 138 in five.The conditions were difficult for launching, yet Pakistani opened the openers from the beginning. Sahibzada Farhan (24) compensated for a slow start from Fakhar Zaman (17 out of 19 balls) and started some aggressive shots, including 6, 6, 4 sequences at Pacer Nuwan Thushara.Maheesh Theekshana (2/24) hit the sixth over, released Farhan and soon after Zaman, who was previously hit on the helmet of Duntha Chameer. Hasaranga (2/27) then took the lead and declared Saim Ayub and Captain Salman Agha, including the stunning catch at the soil level in the middle. Its delivery, which was pinned by Ayub’s stump, was a perfect example of a gentle seam movement. In both of the release of Hasarang, Pakistani Spinner Abar Ahmed’s Hands-Chest imitated the celebration, in retaliation for earlier joking.At 80 for five, the match was finely prepared, while Pakistan still needs 54 runs. Hussain Talat (32*, 30 balls) and Mohammad Nawaz (38*, 24 balls) calmly carried out and seal the tense victory by two crossing.Previously, Pakistani Pacers suffered from Sri Lanka’s line -up despite the elegant 50 Mendis Kamindis and limited them to 133 to eight. Sri Lanka suffered premature collapse and cheaply lost Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka. Shaheen Shah Afridi (3/28) hit first, captured Mendis and then Nissan, with Talat and Wicketkeeper Haris completed the release.Captain Charith Asala and Kusal Perera attempted a minimum record with 25-running partnership, but Perera was soon caught from the well-assessed diving effort of Faheem Ashraf. In the eighth overlap of TALAT and RAUF, they removed the asalans and Dasun Shanaka in consecutive vans, so Sri Lanka had 58 for five.Mendis’ determined fifty and 43-running partnerships with Chamika Karunaratne pushed around 100, but it was not enough to question Pakistan, who held the nerves under pressure to ensure a major victory.
