Sri Lanka A beat Pakistan Shaheens by seven wickets in the first semi-final at the Oman Cricket Academy Ground in Muscat on Friday to qualify for the final of the ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup.
The second semi-final will be played between Afghanistan A and India A later today. The final of the tournament will be held on Sunday, 27 October.
Chasing 136 to win, Sri Lanka ‘A’ achieved the target in the 17th over. For the winning team, Ahan Wickramasinghe returned undefeated on 52 off 46 balls, which included four fours and a six. Wicketkeeper-batter Lahiru Udara, opening the innings, scored a quick-fire 43 off 20 balls, hitting two fours and four sixes.
Earlier, opting to bat first in the first semi-final, Pakistan Shaheens managed to score 135 for nine in their 20 overs. Opening batter Omair Bin Yousuf was the top run-getter for the side scoring 68 off 46 balls, which included five fours and four sixes.
Haider Ali (14, 15b), Mohammad Imran Jnr (13, 12b, 2x4s) and Arafat Minhas (10, 8b, 1×4) were the other batters to reach double figures.
For Sri Lanka A, Dushan Hemantha bagged four wickets for 21 in four overs, while Eshan Malinga and Nipun Ransika took two wickets apiece.
Scores in brief:
Sri Lanka A beat Pakistan Shaheens by seven wickets
Pakistan Shaheens 135-9, 20 overs (Omair Bin Yousuf 68; Dushan Hemantha 4-21, Nipun Ransika 2-21, Eshan Malinga 2-28)
Sri Lanka A 137-3, 16.3 overs (Ahan Wickramasinghe 52 not out, Lahiru Udara 43)
Player of the match – Dushan Hemantha (Sri Lanka A)
