By Zainab Shafiq 
India secured their spot in the highly anticipated Asia Cup 2023 final with a thrilling 41-run victory over Sri Lanka on Tuesday, showcasing their mettle in a low-scoring contest. Despite a promising start from openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, India was bowled out for 213. Their final opponent will be determined in a face-off between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The climactic Asia Cup final is scheduled to grace the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on September 17.
Intrigue surrounds the virtual semi-final showdown between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, set to unfold at the Premadasa Stadium on September 14. Sri Lanka, despite a slow start to the tournament, hopes to leverage home advantage in their pivotal clash against Pakistan.
However, Pakistan face its own challenges, contending with injuries to key pacers Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah, who sustained minor setbacks during their encounter with India. In response, selectors have summoned Shahnawaz Dahani and Zaman Khan to bolster the squad for the remainder of the competition.
In the event of inclement weather resulting in a washout between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at the Premadasa Stadium, both teams will be awarded a point each, totaling 3 points. Crucially, the team with the superior run rate will secure a spot in the final against India.
Presently, Pakistan occupy the 3rd position in the Asia Cup standings, while Sri Lanka hold the 2nd spot due to a more favorable net run rate. With Pakistan’s net run rate standing at -1.892 and Sri Lanka’s at -0.200, a washout scenario would favor the Lankans.
Glimpse of India vs Pakistan, a match that cost Pakistan in Asia Cup 2023
In a scintillating display of cricketing brilliance, KL Rahul and the record-breaking Virat Kohli showcased their supremacy by notching up centuries, delivering a substantial setback to Pakistan in an enthralling showdown on Monday. This historic partnership propelled Rohit Sharma’s Team India to a formidable total during the Super 4 phase of the Asia Cup 2023, hosted at the illustrious R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
In a match marked by intermittent rain delays, Kohli and Rahul’s unbeaten centuries led India to a resounding 228-run victory over Babar Azam’s resilient squad. Tasked with chasing a daunting target of 357 runs, Pakistan faced an uphill battle, exacerbated by injuries to key bowlers Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah, both of whom were unable to bat. The hero of the day for India was the spin maestro Kuldeep Yadav, who claimed a stunning 5/25, etching a historic victory for India against Pakistan in the annals of One Day International (ODI) cricket.
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