• Source:JND
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Sri Lanka got the better of Pakistan in a last-ball thriller to make it to the final of the ongoing Asia Cup 2023 on Friday.

Dasun Shanaka's side clinched the victory with two wickets in hand as Zaman Khan failed to defend eight runs in the last over, leaving his team knocked out of the tournament.

However former India pacer Venkatesh Prasad has praised Sri Lanka's bowler Pramod Madushan for his sensible game awareness during the virtual knockout at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

Madushan was on strike against Zaman in the last over when Sri Lanka needed six runs off the last three balls. He was beaten by a full and a bit of wider delivery off Zaman's bowling and the ball went to Mohammad Rizwan behind the wickets.

Charith Asalanka, who was at the non-striker's end, sprinted for a single to get on the strike.

Interestingly, Madushan stayed back and kept his bat inside the crease until Asalanka reached his end, making sure that the set batter didn't get out.

Meanwhile, Madushan sacrificed his wicket as he was run out at the other end with Zaman managing to dislodge the stumps.

Followingly, Asalanka hit a found off an edge in the penultimate ball followed by the winning runs on the last delivery to give his team a memorable win to reach the summit clash of the tournament.

Reacting to the same, Prasad stated that Ravichandran Ashwin would be very impressed by the clever tactic.

"Great game awareness from Pramod Madhusudan yesterday night. Did not leave the crease until Asalanka made it. Very impressive. @ashwinravi99 probably one of the finest at making good use of the rules would be very impressed," he wrote on X.

India's veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was quick to react and replied to Venkatesh's analysis.

“Absolutely! Just He missed the ball, Asalanka was charging down the pitch (high-octane pressure) and yet this guy stood his ground until the keeper missed his attempt and then started running. All I can say is that these sorts of reactions come from practice and this happens mostly in Tennis ball cricket,” Ashwin responded.

While chasing the target of 252 runs in the rain-marred contest that was reduced to 42 overs, Sri Lanka were very strong with crucial contributions from Kusal Mendis (91) and Sadeera Samarawickrama (48).

The duo stitched a 100-run stand for the third wicket despite missing out on respective milestones before their team suffered hiccups with quick wickets in the middle.

Asalanka remained unbeaten on 49 with Madushan providing an unnoticed but massive support despite getting dismissed.

Sri Lanka will now face India in the summit clash at the same venue on Sunday, September 17.