Dubai saw an electric batting duel at the International Cricket Stadium on Friday evening, with Charith Asalanka's Sri Lanka responding run for run to India's and taking the last Asia Cup Super Fours game into a nail-biting Super Over.
Pursuing a score of 203, Sri Lanka completed on 202/5, tying with India. Kusal Perera and Dasun Shanaka delivered for the islanders during the Super Over, but twice Arshdeep Singh, once on the first ball and again on the sixth, restricted Sri Lanka to only two runs, leaving India with a requirement of three.
India captain Suryakumar Yadav, with his deputy Shubman Gill, walked out for the short chase. Yadav was able to wrap up the match in a single delivery, with the duo managing three runs and ensuring a comprehensive win.
Earlier, the Indian innings had laid the foundation with 202 runs, thanks to Abhishek Sharma's 61 and Tilak Varma's unbeaten 49. Even with early wickets, including Gill and Suryakumar, India's middle order comprising Abhishek, Varma, and Sanju Samson saw the team reach the 200-run mark. All-rounder Axar Patel also chipped in with a crucial role in the death overs, hitting 21 off 15 deliveries, including a six off the last ball.
Sri Lanka's response also began aggressively with Kusal Perera and Pathum Nissanka, who put on a 127-run stand and accelerated to 72 at the end of the Powerplay. Even after Hardik Pandya sent Kusal Mendis back for a golden duck, the Sri Lankan openers were in control, with the Indian bowlers running around for cover.
Varun Chakaravarthy gave India a turning point in the 13th over, getting rid of Perera with a crafty flatter-length ball. Kuldeep Yadav and Arshdeep Singh later got rid of Asalanka and Kamindu Mendis, putting a temporary halt to Sri Lanka's charge. But Nissanka's magical innings ended in his maiden century, keeping the game in balance.
When the game was reaching its conclusion, Sri Lanka required 23 runs off the last two overs, but this was reduced to 12 from the final six balls. Harshit Rana got early success in the last over by dismissing Nissanka, but Sri Lanka took the game to a tie at 202, so a Super Over had to be played.
Ultimately, the Super Over was short-lived. Sri Lanka's batsmen managed just two runs, with Arshdeep Singh bowling exceptionally well. India successfully chased the target of three runs to seal the win, even though the match was a dead rubber with India already qualifying for the final.
The Sri Lankan team can hold their heads high against the world No. 1 T20I team, displaying determination and calmness under pressure.
Brief Scores:
India: 202/5 in 20 overs (Abhishek Sharma 61, Tilak Varma 49*; Maheesh Theekshana 1-36, Charith Asalanka 1-18)
Sri Lanka: 202/5 in 20 overs (Pathum Nissanka 107, Kusal Perera 58; Kuldeep Yadav 1-31, Varun Chakaravarthy 1-31, Hardik Pandya 1-7)
Super Over: Sri Lanka 2/2 (Arshdeep 2-2) lost to India 3/0 (Suryakumar Yadav 3*)
