On Thursday, September 14, at R.Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, the fifth Super 4 match of the Asia Cup 2023 will pit Pakistan and Sri Lanka against one another. Pakistan suffered a severe setback after deciding to bat first as opener Fakhar Zaman lost his stumps to Pramod Madushan in the fifth over of the innings with only nine runs scored. At number three, Captain Babar Azam entered and played some beautiful shots while appearing to be in fantastic shape.
Watch the firing of Fakhar here:
Wicket #1:
Aim. Bowl. Strike. 🎯
Madushan invites the 🇵🇰 captain to the pitch 🏏#PAKvSL live now only on #DisneyPlusHotstar, free on the mobile app.#FreeMeinDekhteJaao #AsiaCup2023 #AsiaCupOnHotstar #Cricket pic.twitter.com/mdPhbNKn0e— Disney+ Hotstar (@DisneyPlusHS) September 14, 2023
After taking the early blow, Babar and Abdullah Shafique added 64 runs off of 70 balls for the second wicket to save Pakistan’s innings. But just as the great hitter appeared to be heading for a big hit, Dunith Wellalage’s quick-turning delivery confused him.
The Pakistan skipper attempted to drive the final ball of the 16th over, but the left-arm spinner’s flighted delivery spun away from him and beat him.
Before Babar could set his foot inside the crease, wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis swiftly recovered the ball behind the stumps and inflicted the stumping. Babar’s innings ended on 29 (35) as a result, leaving Pakistan on 73/2.
Watch Babar being fired here:
And Babar azam OUT🥲#AsiaCup2023 #PAKvsSL #colomboweather#Pakistan #Srilanka #PakvsIND pic.twitter.com/hjW6hUVuuz
— Mushi Rajpoot (@MushiRajpot) September 14, 2023
A beautiful fifty is scored by Abdullah Shafique.
Fans anticipated seeing the match between the top batter in the world and Wellalage, who had just taken five wickets against India in the previous match. The Pakistani skipper also set a new tournament record throughout his innings, amassing 207 runs from four innings at an average of 51.75 runs per innings.
Shafique continued the innings after Babar was dismissed and reached a magnificent half-century off 65 balls. He was caught by Pramod Madushan while attempting to pull Matheesha Pathirana over square leg, ending his innings early for just 52 (69). Mohammad Haris (3 off 9) was another victim for Pakistan, who finished with a score of 108/4 after 24 overs after being caught and bowled by Pathirana.
Watch the firing of Abdullah Shafique here:
Abdullah Shafique departs on 52 #AsiaCup2023 #PAKvIND #PAKvsSL #Cricket#PAKvSL#PAKvsSL#AsiaCup2023#INDvSL#GulfKanawut
Kohli
WhatsApp pic.twitter.com/JUeC1RLOGf— Asia Cup 2023 Updates (@sameecricket360) September 14, 2023
India
