Sri Lanka A thrash Pakistan Shaheens to reach Emerging Asia Cup final

AL AMERAT: Dushan Hemantha’s four-wicket haul, coupled with Ahan Wickramasinghe’s anchoring half-century powered Sri Lanka A to thump Pakistan Shaheens and qualify for the ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup.

Chasing 136 to win, Sri Lanka A achieved the target in the 17th over, courtesy of a quickfire second-wicket partnership between Lahiru Udara and Ahan Wickramasinghe.

Sri Lanka A had an unwanted start to their pursuit as Yashodha Lanka (11, 10b) suffered a bizarre dismissal for obstructing the field.

Udara was then joined by Wickramasinghe and they turned the tide in Sri Lanka A’s favour with belligerent hitting. The duo added 64 runs in just 6.1 overs until Udara fell victim to Sufiyan Muqeem.

Wicketkeeper-batter Lahiru Udara scored a quick-fire 43 off 20 balls, hitting two fours and four sixes.

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Udara’s dismissal halted the flow of runs for Sri Lanka A and they had to bat cautiously to get to the finishing line in the 17th over despite set-batter Wickramasinghe being in the middle.

Ahan Wickramasinghe top-scored for Sri Lanka A with a 46-ball 52, laced up with four fours and a six.

Earlier, opting to bat first in the first semi-final, Pakistan Shaheens managed to score 135 for nine in their 20 overs. Opening batter Omair Bin Yousuf was the top run-getter for the side scoring 68 off 46 balls, which included five fours and four sixes.

Haider Ali (14, 15b), Mohammad Imran Jnr (13, 12b, 2x4s) and Arafat Minhas (10, 8b, 1×4) were the other batters to reach double figures.

For Sri Lanka A, Dushan Hemantha bagged four wickets for 21 in four overs, while Eshan Malinga and Nipun Ransika took two wickets apiece.

The second semi-final of the Emerging Asia Cup will be played between Afghanistan A and India A later today.

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