1st Semi-Final, Colombo, July 21, 2023, 10:00 AM
Pakistan A
322/10(50.0ov)
Sri Lanka A
262/10(45.4ov)
Pakistan A beat Sri Lanka A by 60 runs
Best Batsmen
R
B
4S
6S
SR
Best Bowler
O
R
W
Econ
Man of the Match
Arshad Iqbal
Commentry
Right then, that's it from the coverage of this game. Pakistan A have sealed their spot in the finals, but who will they be facing? To answer your question you can certainly switch tabs and follow the live action from the second semi-final, which is going on currently. India-A are batting first and setting up a target as of now for Bangladesh-A. Do join us there for some riveting action. Cheers!
Mohammad Haris, the Pakistan A skipper says that Avishka Fernando and Sahan Arachchige played well putting up around 100 run partnership but the bowlers did well. Adds that the surface was good and it kept a bit low in the second innings that helped us a bit. Also adds that they would not mind facing any side in the final and defend their title.
Dunith Wellalage, the captain of Sri Lanka A joins for a quick chat. He thinks that they gave 20 odd runs extra. Mentions that the bowlers did really well. Adds that the wicket was turning a touch, and it was a bit difficult during the chase. States that the batters gave them a really good start but they could not capitalize on it.
Arshad Iqbal wins the Player of the Match award for his exceptional spell. He says that the ball was not doing a lot at the start but later on he put in the variations and that worked in his favor and he managed to do what he did.
Stay tuned for the presentation...
Avishka Fernando is in for quick chat. He says that the score was a bit too much as the pitch was turning. Adds that the wicket favored the spinners and the score got too big for the batters to chase down. Also adds that his form is good so he will continue to play well in the future
Earlier in the match, Pakistan A brought their A-game with the bat in hand. The difference between the two sides was that Pakistan A got some valuable runs from their lower order, which pushed them to an above-par score on this sluggish wicket. Batting wasn't easy at all on this wicket and Pakistan A managed to put up a target of 323 runs which proved to be a bit too much for Sri Lanka A in the end.
Pakistan A were outstanding with the new ball, they picked up three crucial wickets up top, and even kept the run rate under control. Although, the bowlers started to lose their control and leaked plenty of runs in the middle over, but once the fourth-wicket stand was broken, Pakistan A were certainly right back in the contest. Arshad Iqbal was the one who stood out with the ball and ended his eveing with a well-deserved five-wicket haul to his name.
It was a really poor effort with the bat in hand from Sri Lanka, in the opening 10 overs and after the 40-over mark. Sri Lanka A lost three wicket in Powerplay 1, meanwhile their lower order could not really step their game up with the bat, which eventually costed them the game. Only one partnership really stood out for them which was for the fourth-wicket, between Avishka Fernando and Sahan Arachchige. A weird coincidence is that both these players slipped out at 97. If they would've gotten then century then maybe things could've been different for them.
Phew! What a rollercoster this match turned out to be. A game that was filled with ebbs and flows. It undoubtedly was a tightly fought contest and it is Pakistan A that come out on top and seal their spot in the FINALS.
In over# 46
0W
0
0
4
Arshad Iqbal 37/5(7.4)
45.4
W
OUT! TIMBER! All over for Sri Lanka A! Arshad Iqbal finish with a five-wicket haul! He serves this full, on middle, angling in, Lahiru Samarakoon looks to heave it across the line but plays all over as the ball goes through to shatter the stumps. PAKISTAN A WIN BY 60 RUNS!
45.3
.
Fullish and on off, Lahiru Samarakoon pushes it towards covers
45.2
.
Swing and a miss! This is a slower delivery, full and on off, Lahiru Samarakoon goes for the slog but fails to connect.
45.1
4
FOUR! Fine shot! Lahiru Samarakoon serves this full, on middle, Lahiru Samarakoon swipes across the line towards the deep mid-wicket fence for a boundary.
In over# 45
1
0
0
0
1
0W
Mubashir Khan 45/2(9)
44.6
1
Fires this one full, on leg, Lahiru Samarakoon works it towards long on for a quick single.
44.5
.
Full and on off, blocked out solidly.
44.4
.
Tossed up, around off, it turns away sharply. It catches the outside edge of Lahiru Samarakoon but the man at first slip is unable to get a hold of it.