Asia Cup final: Malinga, Thirimanne help SL beat Pak to win title

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Sat, 08 March 2014

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21:17

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A five-wicket haul from Lasith Malinga and a match-winning century from Lahiru Thirimanne has helped Sri Lanka beat Pakistan to lift the Asia Cup title.

The Islanders, who had been unbeaten in the tournament, romped home with just 22 balls to spare and losing just five wickets.

Chasing a competitive 261 for victory, Sri Lanka were off to an ideal start.

Pakistan did get a foot in when Saeed Ajmal picked up two wickets in an over, before a 156-runs stand between Thirimanne and Mahela Jayawardene brought Sri Lanka back on track.

Earlier, Fawad Alam century led Pakistan's recovery after they were reduced to 18-3.

20:40

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Mohammad Talha finally breaks the partnership as he removes Mahela Jayawardene for 75.

Jayawardene, looking to score some quick runs skied one and was FINALLY graspped by Sharjeel Khan.

At the end of 39 overs Sri Lanka were 218-3.

20:34

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A timely half-century from Mahela Jayawardene has put Sri Lanka on the front foot.

Jayawardene, who was struggling in the series delivered the goods when it mattered.

He was lucky though after he was dropped by Mohammad Hafeez, after he had completed his half-century.

Pakistan's realistic hopes rest on Saeed Ajmal, who inflicted the twin dismissals, that Sri Lanka lost.

At the end of 36 overs Sri Lanka were 206-2. Jayawardene is on 70, while Thirimanne is on 87.

19:49

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Lahiru Thirimanne struck a fluent half-century to put Sri Lanka back on track after they lost two quick wickets.

Thirimanne took a special liking to Mohammad Talha, by hitting him for couple of boundaries.

Pakistan have been lethargic in the field too, conceding easy singles and twos.

Thirimanne is getting good support from Mahela Jayawardene, who seems to be working his way back into good form.

The duo have added 92 runs for the third wicket. Sri Lanka at the end of 26 overs 148-2.

19:06

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Mahela Jayawardene and Lahiru Thirimanne have dropped the anchor and are looking to steady the ship after Saeed Ajmal picked up two wickets in quick succession.

Sri Lanka were off to a positive start in the chase, before Ajmal struck in in his second over removing dangerous Kausal Perera and in-form Kumar Sangakkara off successive balls.

Jayawardene broke the shackles a bit with a edgy boundary off Shahid Afridi. He then smoked the leg-spinner for a maximum.

At the end of 19 overs, Sri Lanka were 102-2. Thirimanne is on 35, while Jayawardene is on 25.

18:34

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Saeed Ajmal provides the much-needed breakthrough for Pakistan as he had Kusal Perera stumped for 41.

Perera who was looking menacing with his lusty hits to the fence was foxed by a top-spinner, which bounced more than he had anticipated -- Akmal is more than happy to whip the bails off.

Ajmal then removes the man-in-form, Kumar Sangakkara off the first ball he faced. Ajmal beat Sangakkara with a doosara and was adjudged LBW.

Mahela Jayawardene managed to avert the hattrick as Sri Lanka were 61-2 after 11 overs.

18:05

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Sri Lanka are off to a positive start in the chase of 261, with openers Lahiru Thirimanne and Kausal Perera scoring at close to 5-runs-per-over.

Both of them have hit the boundary boards twice each and are looking to make full use of the new ball.

Pakistan has once again started with spin and pace strategy with Mohammad Hafeez and Umar Gul bowling the opening five overs.

At the end of 5 overs, Pakistan were 25-0. Perera is on 14, while Thirimanne is on 11.

17:20

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A maiden century from Fawad Alam and half-centuries from Misbah-ul-Haq and Umar Akmal has helped Pakistan post a competitive 260-5.

Pakistan were reeling at 18-3 at one stage before a 122-runs stand between Alam and Misbah revived the innings.

The duo took time, before opening up with 15 overs to go. Akmal came in and upped the tempo and ensured that the runrate never dipped.

In the last 10 overs Pakistan managed 101 runs, with Akmal blasting his way to 42-ball 59.

For Sri Lanka, Lasith Malinga was the destroyer-in-chief, picking up all the five wickets that fell.

Malinga finished with figures of 5-56.

16:46

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Umar Akmal is providing the impetus Pakistan batting requires with seven overs to go.

Pakistan were jolted early by Malinga, before resurrection happened with Fawad Alam and Misbah-ul-Haq putting things back together.

Alam has been impressive in both the innings -- one here and the other one against minnows Bangladesh, where he played a similar kind of innings.

Alam smoked a six and a boundary off Suranga Lakmal. Akmal took on Thisara Perera, smashing him for a boundary to ensure that they keep hitting boundary boards.

At the end of 44 oves, Pakistan were 196-4. Alam is on 85, while Akmal is on 25

16:11

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Lasith Malinga strikes once again -- this time in his comeback spell in batting Powerplay.

Misbah tried of loft Malinga's wide delivery only to mistime and hit it straight to long-on's throat.

Sri Lankan fielders were more than happy to see the back of Misbah, who was looking menacing in the batting Powerplay.

Pakistan at the end of 36 overs were 141-4.

16:07

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Fawad Alam, who played a crucial role in his teams win against Bangladesh, once again stepped up with yet another fighting half-century.

Alam, lofted Perera for a maximum to reach 49, then took a single to reach the landmark.

Pakistan in the last five overs have upped the ante scoring 32 runs at a run rate of 6.20.

Alam-Misbah have added 106 runs for fourth wicket.

Pakistan were 124-3 after 34 overs. Misbah is on 55, while Alam is on 51.

15:49

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Skipper Misbah-ul-Haq and Fawad Alam have steadied the ship for Pakistan with a half-century stand for fourth wicket.

Singles were hard to comeby, but Misbah and Alam took their time in the middle, by playing out the quiet overs.

Misbah however suddenly opened up to Thisara Perera, lofting him for a maximum.

He then swept Chaturanga de Silva for another boundary.

The Pakistan skipper soon brought his half-century with another boundary to give them a bit of momentum.

Pakistan at the end of 31 overs were 106-3. Misbah is on 50, while Alam is on 39.

14:44

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Runs are hard to come by for Pakistan batsmen as Misbah-ul-Haq and Fawad Alam have consumed lot of deliveries without much on board.

The run rate is hovering around 2.64 runs per over, as singles too are hard to comeby, let alone boundaries.

The good thing though is, the duo is keeping their heads down and looking to stitch a partnership.

So far they have added 25 runs from 69 balls.

At the end of 16 overs Pakistan were 43-3. Misbah is on 12, while Alam is on 14.

14:16

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Sachitra Senanayeke now into the attack.

First up a slow turner as Fawad Alam goes for a cut.

Next up Alam creams one through off side for a boundary to get off the mark.

Senanayeke is back to tight length as Pakistan were 24-3 after 9 overs.

Misbah is on 3, while Alam is on 4.

14:13

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Lasith Malinga strikes once again as he removes Ahmed Shehzad for 5.

Shehzad's eyes lit up seeing a wide delivery, looking to punch it past point, only to get a healthy edge to wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara.

Malinga then had Mohammad Hafeez walking back to the pavillion he beat the Pakistan no. 3 walking back after edging one wicketkeeper Sangakkara for 3.

Pakistan were 18-3 from 5 overs.

13:40

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Lasith Malinga has struck in the opening over itself, removing opener Sharjeel Khan for 8.

Sharjeel who smoked two classical boundaries off Malinga, was caught at mid-on by Thisara Perera.

At the end of 1 over, Pakistan were 8-1.

13:03

Welcome to the final of the Asia Cup final updates between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

The news from the middle is that Pakistan have won the toss and have elected to bat first in the final.

The big news for Pakistan is that Shahid Afridi is playing. Sharjeel comeback along with Junaid Khan.

Ajantha Mendis is out for Sri Lanka.

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