Pakistan Shaheens make 135 against Sri Lanka in semi-finals

AL-AMERAT: Pakistan Shaheens would put up a target of 125 for Sri Lanka to make in the first semi-finals of the ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024, behind a half century by Omair Yousuf.

Omair Yousuf found his rhythm early, hitting a four and a six right after in the first two balls of the second over, and another six in the third over. However, fellow opener Yasir Khan didn’t get off to the same great start. He was dismissed on the ninth ball he faced, only scoring two runs in the process. Yasir was caught out by Sri Lanka skipper Nuwanidu Fernando on a delivery from Nipun Ransika.

Pakistan skipper Mohammad Harris replaced him, hitting a boundary immediately on the third ball he faced. Meanwhile, Yousuf continued to show out, hitting another four and six on back to back balls in the fifth over.

Sri Lanka would strike twice in the sixth over, as Eshan Malinga would bowl Harris early in the over, before dismissing Qasim Akram for a duck after he was caught out by Sahan Arachchige.

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Yusuf would single-handedly keep Pakistan alive, making a half century in the 11^th over. However, the rest of the team would provide no support. Haider Ali would be stumped by wicket keeper Lahiru Udara on a delivery from Dushan Hemantha.

Hemantha would pick up two more wickets in the 15^th over. Arafat Minhas would be dismissed right after hitting a four, as the ball struck him on the pads for an lbw. Abdul Samad would be sent off on the last ball of the over, after being caught out by Fernando.

Sri Lanka would finally get rid of Yusuf on the second ball of the 17^th over. Hemantha would pick up his fourth wicket, as Yusuf would be caught out by Ramesh Mendis. The 25 year old Pakistani batter would end his innigns with a score of 68 runs off 46 deliveries, hitting five fours and four sixes in the process. He total runs scored in T20s is now 950, after making the sixth fifty of his T20 career in this match.

Ransika would get his second wicket after bowling Abbas Afridi in the 19th over after making nine runs. Mohammad Imran would be run out on the second last ball of the innings after making 13 runs.

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Pakistan Shaheens would put up a score of 135, losing nine wickets on the way.