Chameera leads Sri Lanka past Pakistan to seal spot in tri-series final

Sri Lanka secured a place in the final of the tri-series after their pacer Dushmantha Chameera delivered a sensational last over and defended 10 runs to overcome Pakistan in a topsy-turvy league stage match at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

After Sri Lanka’s second win, Zimbabwe has crashed out of the three-nation series, and the architect behind their today’s six-run win against Pakistan was Chameera, who ended with figures of 4-20 and held his nerves in the final over despite the momentum being towards the home team.

Chasing 185, Pakistan suffered a disastrous start, falling to 43-4. Captain Salman Ali Agha stood out, finishing unbeaten on 63 from 44 balls.

Openers Sahibzada Farhan (9) and Saim Ayub (27) stitched a 29-run stand before Farhan was dismissed by Chameera in the fourth over.

Chameera struck again in the same over, dismissing star batter Babar Azam for a two-ball duck and reducing the home side to 29-2.

The Green Shirts lost two more wickets inside the powerplay as Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman perished in the fifth and sixth overs, respectively.

Following the collapse, wicketkeeper batter Usman Khan joined skipper Salman Ali Agha and led Pakistan's recovery.

The duo put together 56 off 41 deliveries before Usman was dismissed by Wanindu Hasaranga in the 13th over. He scored a brisk 33 with the help of two sixes and as many fours.

Agha was then joined by all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz, and they collaborated to turn the game by adding a fiery 70-run stand off just 36 balls before Nawaz was removed for 27 by Eshan Malinga.

Nawaz made a handy contribution with a 16-ball 27, featuring two sixes and a four.

The equation came down to 10 required off the final over, and momentum was Pakistan’s way, but Chameera held his nerves and his pinpoint Yorkers secured an amazing win for Sri Lanka.

First Innings

After being asked to bat first, Sri Lanka posted 184 for the loss of five wickets in 20 overs, with opener Kamil Mishara scoring a brilliant 76 off 48 balls with six fours and three sixes.

The hosts started well as Salman Mirza clean bowled Pathum Nissanka for eight in the third over with just 16 runs on the board.

Following the early jolt, Kusal Mendis joined Mishara and the duo turned the tide in Sri Lanka's favour, forging a blistering second-wicket partnership of 66 runs.

It was spinner Abrar Ahmed who broke the partnership by trapping Mendis LBW for a 23-ball 40 in the ninth over.

Following his dismissal, Sri Lanka suffered another setback just 14 balls later as Mohammad Nawaz sent back Kusal Perera for six in the 11th over.

Mishara stood his ground firm and was involved in another crucial partnership for Sri Lanka when he knitted a one-sided 57-run stand for the fourth wicket with Janith Liyanage.

For Pakistan, Abrar was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2 for 28 in four overs, while Nawaz and Salman Mirza picked one apiece.