‘I can rank this innings second place’ - Charith Asalanka reflects on his sturdy knock after thrilling win against Pakistan

The Super Four clash between Sri Lanka and Pakistan saw the Dasun Shanaka-led Sri Lanka register a crucial win and reach the summit clash of the Asia Cup 2023. In a rain-marred clash, Sri Lanka needed 252 runs to win the game in 42 overs. 

After the openers’ failure to go big, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, and Charith Asalanka finished the game for Sri Lanka, playing sensational knocks and propelling their side to the Asia Cup final. 

Kusal Mendis scored 91 runs in 87 deliveries, Samarawickrama added 48* runs, with Asalanka finishing the game with a score of 49* runs in 47 deliveries. Speaking of his performance, Asalanka came forward and opined that it worked in his favour that the last ball was a slower one, and he even ranked his knock as his second-best innings of his career so far. 

"I just thought how can I get two to hit a gap and run hard because it is a big field and just told Pathirana to run hard,  thought either he would bowl a bouncer or a yorker and then he bowled a slower ball, so it was on my side. I am very excited. Mendis and Sadeera batted really well. I wanted to finish. That is my role. I can rank this innings second place in my book," Charith Asalanka was quoted as saying by India Today. 

Happy to get to the final: Kusal Mendis

Star batter Kusal Mendis talked of the side’s performance as well. After registering a sensational win against Pakistan, Sri Lanka will now take on India in the summit clash of the Asia Cup 2023. Speaking of his performance, Mendis opined that he was happy to help his team reach the final and stated that it was the constant loss of wickets that pushed the match into the death overs. 

"Happy with my performance, happy to get to the final, those two wickets fell down and we were nervous, but with Charith in the middle we had hope. He's done this in one game against Afghanistan. I think we also bowled really well, so happy to be in the final," Mendis said.