DHAKA // After the ugly fallout to their defeat to Bangladesh two nights earlier, Pakistan salvaged some cheer in the final match of the Asia Cup pool stage as they beat Sri Lanka by six wickets.
Former players and active administrators alike had heaped criticism on Shahid Afridi and his side after they fell short of qualifying for the final with one match still to play.
However, they will travel to the World Twenty20 in India on the back of a much-needed win against a Sri Lanka side who have endured an even more miserable time in Dhaka.
With India and Bangladesh already confirmed as the finalists, the game had no competitive significance to the Asia Cup.
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It had wider relevance, with the World T20 to follow, for both sides, though. Tillakaratne Dilshan finally found form as he made an undefeated 75 as Sri Lanka posted 150 for four from their 20 overs.
Mohammed Irfan’s fine death bowling had clipped their progress, and Umar Akmal marshaled Pakistan’s chase, making 48 before falling to a brilliant catch on the boundary by Thisara Perera with just one run required.
“We’ve the backed players, we didn’t want to change too many things, but the selectors have done well to give everyone a fair opportunity,” Afridi, Pakistan’s troubled captain, said.
“We had to change a few things, we worked hard and it helped.”
Pakistan rarely looked troubled in the chase against a Sri Lanka side who were without both their captain, Lasith Malinga, and his deputy, Angelo Mathews, because of injury.
“Injuries have been our main issue,” Dinesh Chandimal, the stand-in captain, said.
“We haven’t been able to get our best combinations out every game. I hope they can recover soon and we can come back strongly for the World Cup.”
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