Dunith Wellalage had a great outing against Indian in Sri Lanka’s Asia Cup 2023 Super 4 match on Tuesday. He was responsible for the wickets of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya. The spinner got another big wicket in Babar Azam on Thursday. In the 16th over, Babar was stunned by Dunith Wellalage. It was a stunning delivery from the spinner as he threw it around the stump. Babar moved forward but noticed the ball throwing and turning away. Sri Lanka wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis made no mistake and broke the stumps. Replays showed Babar’s back foot was in the air when the bars lifted. The Pakistani captain was shocked.
— Nihari Korma (@NihariVsKorma) September 14, 2023
The crucial Asia Cup Super 4 match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan was further reduced to a 42 overs-a-side affair after another rain delay at the R Premadasa Stadium on Thursday. Pakistan were stuttering at 130 for five in 27.4 overs against hosts Sri Lanka when rain halted play.
Mohammad Nawaz (12) was dismissed by Maheesh Theekshana on the last ball before half-time. Mohammad Rizwan (22) was in the middle. Earlier, a delayed start had reduced the match to a 45 overs-per-side affair.
The match is a virtual semi-final as the winner of the match will play India in the final on Sunday. Both teams are on two points each. However, if the match fails, Sri Lanka will qualify for the summit clash thanks to a better Net Run Rate.
Pakistan skipper Babar Azam recently claimed the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for the third time, bagging the award for August 2023. Babar, who currently sits comfortably at the top of the ODI rankings, continued to impress with the bat in the month of August.
His wealth of form was reflected in his performances as he hit two fifties and a century. In Pakistan’s ODI series against Afghanistan, Babar hit two fifties in the last two matches.
He put up a 118-run stand with Imam-ul-Haq in the second ODI, which laid the foundation for an exciting finale. Babar contributed 53 runs with the bat and was supported by Imam (91 runs) and the lower order.
Babar didn’t stop there as he replicated his performance in the 3rd ODI with his superb knock of 60. His sublime batting skills were on display during the Asia Cup opener against Nepal. Babar’s knock of 151 made him the first captain in the Asia Cup to score 150 or more.
“I am delighted to have been named the ICC Player of the Month for August 2023. The past month has been extraordinary for my team and I have put in some great performances. With the Asia Cup coming to Pakistan after such a long time, “It was great to play in front of the passionate and cricket-loving crowds of Multan and Lahore. To score my second ODI score of over 150 in front of my own people in Multan doubled the joy,” Babar said, as quoted by ICC.
“I’m looking forward to making the most of the form as we enter an exciting phase of cricket, with the end of the Asia Cup in sight and the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup just around the corner. My team and I are eager.” to bring joy and happiness to the millions of Pakistani fans,” Babar added.
With ANI inputs
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