SL A Win By Seven Wickets | Sri Lanka A vs Pakistan Shaheens Highlights of ACC Men's T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024 Semifinal: Sri Lankans Down Defending Champions, Enter Final

Sri Lanka A have beaten Pakistan Shaheens to enter the final. The Men in Green were below-par with both bat and ball today and had to pay the price, with Sri Lanka becoming the first team to go through to the final of the ACC Men's T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024. A comprehensive win this for Sri Lanka A, who rode on the back of a superb bowling performance led by Dushan Hemantha (4/21), Nipun Ransika (2/21) and Eshan Malinga (2/28). Later, Ahan Wickramasinghe (52* off 46) and Lahiru Udara (43 off 20) dominated with the bat to help Sri Lanka defeat the defending champions. They now await the winner of the India A vs Afghanistan A semifinal. 

FIFTY for Ahan Wickramasinghe! A good knock which has come in a winning cause in this contest. Sri Lanka now are inches away from winning this game and Ahan's knock has played a crucial role in this chase. 

Sri Lanka are edging closer to a win here and Pakistan Shaheens are increasingly looking out of options. Pakistan Shaheens just have 14 runs to play with and this game seems all but done. 

OUT! Sri Lanka's captain Nuwanidu Fernando has to depart with Abbas Afridi getting his wicket. This dismissal might have come a bit too late for Pakistan here. Nuwanidu Fernando c Mohammad Haris b Abbas Afridi 9(7) 

OUT! Sufiyan Muqeem dismisses Lahiru Udara and it is a big wicket in the context of the game. The right-hander found the fielder in the deep and Pakistan Shaheens have a break in this match. But Sri Lanka are still ahead with just 43 runs needed.  Lahiru Udara c Abdul Samad b Sufiyan Muqeem 43(20)

Sri Lanka have made the most of the powerplay, scoring 67 runs. Pakistan A bowlers have not hit the right lengths and it has been a one-sided show in this contest so far. Sri Lanka have grown from strength to strength in this competition and look like favourites to head to the final. To see Yashodha Lanka's Obstructing the Field dismissal, click here. 

Lahiru Udara and Ahan Wickramasinghe have taken Sri Lanka A off to a strong start. Sri Lanka A lost the wicket of Yashodha Lanka but that has not deterred them from going ahead in this contest. Pakistan Shaheens need a couple of more wickets to bounce back. 

Sri Lanka A have started this run chase on a positive note, scoring nine runs off the first over bowled by Shahnawaz Dahani. Pakistan A would need some early wickets up front if they are to put pressure on the Sri Lankans or else, this could become an easy chase. 

Four wickets by Dushan Hemantha helped Sri Lanka A to restrict Pakistan A from below 140 runs. Omair Yousuf shined with 68 runs off just 46 deliveries but the rest of the team failed to give him proper support. Sri Lanka in with a big chance to advance to final after two years' break. 

Out! Looking to score as many runs as possible, young Omair Yousuf gave an easy catch to the outfield fielder. Big wicket for Sri Lanka A. Dushan picks up his fourth wicket in the match.   Omair Yousuf c Ramesh Mendis b Dushan Hemantha 68 (46)

Two quick wickets and Sri Lanka is back in the game. Except for Omair Yusuf, no Pakistan A batter is able to settle against the Sri Lankan bowling attack. 

Out! Wicket for Sri Lanka. Dushan Hemantha provides the breakthrough as Haider Ali steps out for a big shot but misses the ball completely. Haider Ali  st Lahiru Udara b Dushan Hemantha 14 (15)

After Completing his half-century, Omair Yousuf is looking to go big with some massive shots. Pakistan has a strong base now to score around 180 run mark they have set through-out the competition.

even with the wickets falling on one end, Omair Yousuf held one end and scored a brilliant half-century. Omair slowed a bit after an early flourish, but nevertheless managed to hand his side a respectable total at the half way stage of the inning

Out! Needless shot. Qasim Akram looking to finish off the powerplay with a big hit hands a catch to Sahan Arachchige. Qasim Akram c Sahan Arachchige b Eshan Malinga 0(3)

Out! Risky shot as Pakistan A Captain looks to play fine but misses the ball completely. Big wicket for Sri Lanka with the spinner Eshan Malinga takes the wicket of Mohammad Haris. Qasim Akram joins Omair Yousuf in the middle. Mohammad Haris b Eshan Malinga 6(8)

Out! Straight to the fielder. After a blistering start to the inning, Pakistan A side loses its first wicket. Yasir Khan, looking to clear the infield handed a simple catch to Nuwanidu Fernando.  Yasir Khan c Nuwanidu Fernando b Nipun Ransika 2 (9)

A steady start on a bouncy pitch as Omair Yousuf and Yasir Khan look to settle themselves to the conditions. Nipun Ransika with the ball in hand will look for an early wicket. 

Trusting their players, Pakistan A has kept fairly similar side with just one change in the playing XI against Sri Lanka A in the Semi-final.

Sri Lanka A (Playing XI): Yashodha Lanka, Lahiru Udara(w), Nuwanidu Fernando(c), Sahan Arachchige, Pawan Rathnayake, Ramesh Mendis, Ahan Wickramasinghe, Dushan Hemantha, Nimesh Vimukthi, Nipun Ransika, Eshan Malinga

Pakistan A (Playing XI): Omair Yousuf, Yasir Khan, Mohammad Haris(w/c), Qasim Akram, Abdul Samad, Haider Ali, Arafat Minhas, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abbas Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani, Mohammad Imran

In the first semi-final of the ACC T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024 tournament, Mohammad Haris wins the toss and elects to bat first. Pakistan A has scored at an average of around 180 runs in this competition.