DUBAI   -   Sri Lanka chased down a target of 184 with four balls and two wickets to spare to qualify to the Super Four stage of Asia Cup 2022 in Dubai. 

In a game that swung back and forth, Sri Lanka held their nerve under pressure to sneak in a two-wicket win and qualify to the Su­per Four stage of Asia Cup 2022. Chasing 184, Sri Lanka started off well, but soon found themselves in trouble at 77/4 in the ninth over. Kusal Mendis, helped by a series of let-offs, compiled a half-century, and Dasun Shanaka added mo­mentum to the innings to take Sri Lanka close. However, Bangladesh struck again in quick succession to come out on top. 

At 158/7 in the 18th over, Sri Lanka’s hopes appeared done and dusted, but helped by a boundary off a no-ball in the penultimate over, Sri Lanka managed 17 runs off Ebadot Hossain’s over to turn the game on its head. Asitha Fer­nando, on debut, hit 10 off three balls, including a crucial four off the second ball in the final over to help Sri Lanka complete their sec­ond-highest run chase in T20Is. It was also the highest-ever suc­cessful run chase in UAE in T20Is, beating Afghanistan’s run chase of 180 against UAE in 2016.

Sharing his views, player of the match Kusal Mendis said: “First six overs, I played my normal game and did that all through. On the no ball, I came out to bat again, and had a good plan and wanted to complete the game. I had a few chances. I did the best for the team. I did a lot of practice in Sri Lanka in the last six months. I know my job according to the team’s point of view. I will do everything that is best for my team