Sri Lanka secured a dramatic six-run victory over Pakistan in a high-stakes T20I, powered by a solid batting performance and a magnificent bowling effort led by Dushmantha Chameera, ensuring their spot in the tournament final over Zimbabwe.
Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by 6 runs. Sri Lanka desperately needed the win to qualify for the final on Saturday. Sri Lanka overcame a slow start to post 184. The innings was anchored by a blistering 66-run stand off 36 balls between Kusal Mendis and Kamil Mishara. Mishara was the standout performer, scoring 76 off 48 balls.
The turning point came when Mendis capitalized on Faheem Ashraf's over, plundering 16 runs, followed by 15 runs off Mohammad Wasim.
Pakistan’s chase was severely hampered early by Dushmantha Chameera, who decimated the top order, including the wickets of Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam (duck), and Fakhar Zaman, leaving the hosts at 43/4.
Captain Salman Ali Agha played a masterful, unbeaten half-century, keeping Pakistan in the hunt. A key 56-run partnership with Usman Khan, followed by hitting Mohammad Nawaz, brought the equation down to 10 runs needed in the final over. The Final Over: Chameera, bowling the last over, conceded only three runs and secured a wicket, delivering decisive yorkers to squeeze Pakistan out of the game and seal the victory.
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