Asia Cup: Sri Lanka to face India in final after last-ball win over Pakistan

Sri Lanka sealed a thrilling last-ball win over Pakistan in Colombo on Thursday to set up a title match with India in the Asia Cup.

Chasing 252 off 42 overs in a rain-curtailed match, Sri Lanka were coasting to their target at 210-3 in 35 overs. But a fightback from Pakistan, triggered by part-time spinner Iftikhar Ahmed (3-50 after scoring 47) set up a tense finish.

Shaheen Afridi bowled a sensational penultimate over with 12 needed from 12, first getting Dhanajaya de Silva and last match's hero Dunith Wellalage first ball.

Fast bowler Zaman Khan, who came in as a late replacement, had eight to defend from the last over. He gave away just two runs from the first four balls. But Charith Asalanka (49 not out) got a boundary off an edge to bring the equation down to two needed off one, which was completed with a simple nudge to square leg for a two-wicket victory and a spot in Sunday's final.

The virtual semi-final at the R Premadasa Stadium lived up to the hype as Sri Lanka and Pakistan fought tooth and nail.

Sri Lanka were positive from the start of the chase, aided by the mid match heavy shower that freshened up the pitch and made the spinners less effective, compared to the start of the match.

Pakistan, without pace spearhead Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf, lacked sting with the new ball. Afridi looked down on pace, which allowed Sri Lankan's top order to score with relative ease.

Even the first wicket fell to a run out, Kusal Perera searching for a quick single. Leg-spinner Shadab Khan removed Pathum Nissanka but middle order batsmen Kusal Mendis (91) and Sadeera Samarawickrama (48) went on the offensive.

How crucial that one run has turned out to be! Had Pakistan not lost Nawaz's wicket before the rain break, Sri