It was a nail-biting encounter between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, a match that left everyone on the edge of their seats. Both teams finished with an identical score of 252 at the end of 42 overs. However, despite this apparent tie, Sri Lanka emerged as the victors. How did that happen? Let’s delve into the details.
The Twist in the Tale
The match would have indeed concluded as a tie if it were a 50-over contest. Even in a 45-over game, the scores being level would have resulted in a tie. However, there were some crucial factors at play that altered the outcome. Rain interruptions caused a reduction in overs, making it a 42-over match. But more importantly, the DLS (Duckworth-Lewis-Stern) method came into effect.
DLS: The Game Changer
Pakistan, batting first, showed resilience and posted a competitive total of 252/7 in 42 overs, thanks to outstanding contributions from Mohammad Rizwan (86* off 73) and Iftikhar Ahmed (47 off 40). However, due to the DLS method, Sri Lanka’s target was revised. Instead of chasing 253, they only needed 252 runs. One run was deducted from Pakistan’s total.
The Mystery of Deducted Runs
You might wonder why a run was deducted from Pakistan’s total, despite them having three wickets in hand. The answer lies in the DLS method’s calculation criteria. It’s not the number of wickets a team has lost at the end of their innings that matters; it’s the number of wickets lost before the rain stoppage. In Pakistan’s case, with five wickets down before the rain interruption, they had the advantage of three more overs being deducted from their innings. Consequently, their final total was calculated based on this revised context.
Wickets in Hand: The Key Factor
Had Pakistan lost fewer than five wickets before the rain break, the total would have been different. For instance, if Mohammad Nawaz had not been dismissed on the last ball before the rain stoppage, Sri Lanka would have faced a target of 255 instead of 252. Alternatively, if Pakistan had lost more than five wickets, more runs would have been deducted from their total. The DLS method considers the number of wickets in hand as the most crucial factor in its calculations.
The Thrilling Conclusion
In a last-over thriller, Sri Lanka needed eight runs to win. Asalanka, the left-handed batsman, held his nerve and struck the winning shot off the last ball, sealing victory for the home team. The raucous crowd erupted in joy, while millions of fans dreaming of an India-Pakistan final in the 50-over tournament were left heartbroken.
Mendis and Samarawickrama had set the stage for victory with their 100-run third-wicket partnership. However, it was Asalanka who took charge after their departure, guiding Sri Lanka to a memorable win.
In conclusion, the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka match will be remembered for its exhilarating twists and turns. It showcased the unpredictable nature of cricket and left fans yearning for more thrilling encounters like these. To stay updated with the latest cricket news and exciting matches, visit DHPL Travels, your go-to destination for all things cricket in Sri Lanka.