Sri Lanka won from Pakistan by three wickets securing the Hong Kong Super Sixes 2024 title on Sunday. After 2007, Sri Lanka got this title for the second time. A decent target of 73 runs was given to them, and Sri Lanka managed to chase the target with six balls remaining.
Sri Lanka’s captain, Lahiru Madhusanka, called it right at the toss and selected to bowl first. The right decision was taken because the bowling attack of the team bound Pakistan to a chaseable total. Muhammad Akhlaq played his best and made 48 runs off just 20 balls. He struck five fours and three gigantic maximums. But despite his firing innings, Pakistan struggled to build a challenging target. None of the batters barring Akhlaq and the skipper Faheem Ashraf, could get into even double figures. Akhlaq was eventually dismissed by Madhusanka in the final over. The next highest score for Pakistan came from skipper Faheem Ashraf, who made 13 runs off four balls.
Sri Lanka’s bowling was splendid, Dhananjaya Lakshan and Tharindu Rathnayake took two wickets each. Nimesh Vimukthi and Lihuru Madhusanka also took wickets.
Openers Sandun Weerakkody and Dhananjaya Lakshan came with an energetic start, making a 39-run partnership off just 20 balls. Sandun Weerakkody batted with a high strike rate of 261.
Skipper Faheem Ashraf took the much-needed wicket for Pakistan in the fourth over by dismissing well-performing batter Weerakkody, who was the top scorer with a total of 34 off 13 balls only.
In a thrilling encounter, Pakistan’s bowlers initially managed to dismiss Sri Lanka’s top order, leaving them reeling at 59/3 within just 4.2 overs. However, Tharindu Rathnayake and the captain Madhushanka showcased remarkable performance under pressure, contributing impactful and quick runs that helped Sri Lanka to chase the target successfully. Both batters struck at the rate of almost 400 and there was a boundary galore during their time on the crease.
For Pakistan, Hussain Talat and Faheem took up a wicket apiece.
Pakistan’s journey to the final:
If we talk about the semi-final match, Pakistan reached the final by defeating Australia, for which all the credit goes to Faheem Ashraf’s outstanding all-round performance. Australia made a challenging target of 108 runs after scoring 107/1 in their six overs. The match openers Sam Heazlett and Jack Wood successfully gave Australia a strong start with a 56-run partnership. However, Faheem managed to break the partnership by taking the wicket of Wood, who made 36 runs.
Pakistan’s innings showcased an amazing start, openers collectively made a score of 40 in just 9 balls only, highlighted by Asif Ali’s explosive 32 runs off just eight balls. He also made brilliant five sixes and Muhammad Akhlaq’s quick and strong score of 32 off ten balls. This momentum was maintained by Faheem Ashraf and Aamer Yamin, who formed a vital partnership of 38 runs in total, with Faheem finishing on 19 from 9 balls not out and Yamin contributing an unbeaten 24. Their efforts led Pakistan to a successful chase and victory.
Despite their brilliant success in the semi-final, Pakistan couldn’t manage to win the final against Sri Lanka, who acknowledged their victory in the Hong Kong Super Sixes.
