PAK A vs SL A, Emerging Asia Cup, 1st Semifinal Live Score: Avishka departs for 97, Pakistan eye comeback

PAKISTAN qualify for final with 60-run win

Pakistan have qualified for the Emerging Asia Cup final with a 60-run win over hosts Sri Lanka. Iqbal completes his five-wicket haul with a perfect yorker which cleaned the stumps of Samarakoon. Sri Lanka A bundled out for 262 in 45.4 overs. Pakistan will now face the winner of the ongoing second semi-final between India A and Bangladesh A in the mega final on Sunday.

Into the #ACCMensEmergingTeamsAsiaCup final! 👊

Arshad Iqbal's five-wicket haul leads Pakistan Shaheens to a 60-run triumph over Sri Lanka A 👏#BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/gqqY6Xq6KD

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) July 21, 2023

WICKET: Sahan Arachchige falls three short of 100

Arm ball from Mubasir cleans the stumps of Sahan Arachchige who departs for 97 off 109 balls. Pakistan one wicket away from a comprehensive win.

WICKET! Iqbal gets his fourth

Another short delivery and Hemantha falls for it this time. A brilliant catch from Omair who runs backward and then dive to grab a one-handed stunner at short mid-wicket. Pakistan have their one leg in the final. SL A need 67 runs from 36 balls.

WICKET! Sri Lanka seven down

Banged in short from Iqbal and Chamika tries to smoke it for a six over mid-wicket. The ball goes up in the air but fails to travel the distance as Tahir grabs a good catch under pressure at the boundary rope.

PAK A vs SL A Live: 250 runs up for Sri Lanka

250 runs at the end of 42 overs for Sri Lanka. Sahan Arachchige six short of a hundred. Chamika Karunaratne with him in the middle. SL A need 73 off 48 balls.

WICKET: Sri Lanka captain gone

Wellalage clean bowled on the first ball of the 41st over. Off-spinner Mubasir Khan has been rewarded for his good work. Cleans the off-stump of Wellalage with his flighted delivery. SL A: 237/6 in 40.2 overs vs PAK A (322 all-out)

Four! Captain Wellalage pulls hard

Wasim Jr bowls a short delivery to Sri Lanka captain Dunith Wellalage as he pulls it perfectly in the deep square leg region. The local fans behind their team. Lots of clapping and chirping. SL A need 86 runs off 60 balls

FOUR: Sahan Arachchige makes the move

Akram to Sahan Arachchige as the batter opens the face of his bat really late to guide the ball between short third-man and gully for a four. 13 runs from the 38th over. 4 byes came on the second delivery. SL A need 101 off 72 balls

20 balls since last boundary

Runs have dried up for Sri Lanka and the required rate has gone past 8. Tight bowling from Iqbal as well as the spinners. SL A need 116 off 84 balls

PAK A vs SL A: 200 runs up for Sri Lanka

A double from Sahan Arachchige to take his team past 200 on the fifth ball of the 34th over. Arachchige is they key man since Avishka's departure. Sri Lanka's fate depends entirely on him. SL A need 121 runs from 96 balls (5 wickets remaining)

OUT! Muqeem gets another one

Muqeem has turned the match on its head. Another stunning delivery from the left-arm spinner. Drifting away from Ashen Bandara who ends up giving a catch to Farhan at slip. SL: 180/5 in 30.3 overs vs PAK A: (322 all-out)

WICKET! Avishka gone

Heartbreak for Avishak. He departs for 97 off 85 balls. Beautiful delivery from Sufiyan Muqeem, difts away after forcing Avishka to drag forward. Easy stumping for Haris. Big wicket for Pakistan! will this open the floodgates for the Men in Green? SL A: 161/4 in 28.2 overs

FIFTY: Arachchige completes 62-ball fifty

Arachchige also silently completes his fifty off 62-ball. He has played second fiddle to Avishka but his knock carries equal weight. Under-pressure and delivering on the big stage. SL A: 154/3 in 27 overs vs PAK: (322 all-out)

PAK A vs SL A: Avishka Fernando on fire

Second ball of the 23rd over from spinner wasim and Avishka plays it very late towards third man for a boundary. Sweeps him moments later for another boundary to get into 80s and bring up the 100-run partnership with Arachchige.

Avishka-Arachchige partnership flourishing

84-run partner between the two Sri Lanka batters after they were reduced to 33/3. Spinners operating for Pakistan. SL: 117/3 in 21 overs vs PAK A (322 all-out)

100 up for SL A in 17 overs

A cracking boundary from Avishka through point which takes him to 70 and Sri Lanka A past 100.

PAK A vs SL A Live: Fifty for Avishka Fernando

Fifty for Avishka Fernando off 47 balls. The 25-year-old has brought in all his experience in this innings and this is what exactly his team needs. Only a big hundred from Avishka can help Sri Lanka here. SL A: 82/3 in 15 overs vs PAK A: 322 all-out

SIX: Avishka Fernando goes big

Opener Avishka Fernando is the man for Sri Lanka at the moment. A six off Wasim on the third ball of the 13th over. First six for the hosts in the match. The Sri Lanka international is looking good. He has hit 38 off 40. Pakistan would be aiming to get his wicket soon. SL A: 67/3 in 13 overs vs PAK A (322 all-out)

PAK A vs SL A Live: Sri Lanka 49/3 in 10 overs

Pakistan in complete control of the match. Sri Lanka are finding scoring difficult and the Pakistan bowling is proving to good for them. Last proper batting pair in the middle. All-rounders will follow next.

OUT! Sooriyabandara also gone

Sri Lanka lose another wicket. Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Man of the Match in the last match, also departs as he fails to control the bounce from Iqbal and ends up top-edging a delivery only for Wasim to take another easy catch at mid-on. SL A: 33/3 in 7.4 overs vs PAK A (322 all-out)

OUT! Another one gone

Minond Bhanuka departs for one after Iqbal's full-length delivery hit him flush on his pad. Sri Lanka lose their second wicket and they are in trouble. SL: 12/2 in 3.3 overs vs PAK (322-all-out)

WICKET! Crosspulle gone for duck

A 2-ball duck for Lasith Crosspulle as Butt strikes in the first over. A simple catch to Wasim at mid-on. SL A: 1/1 in 1 over vs PAK A (322)

Emerging Asia Cup Live: Pakistan finish at 322

Chamika Karunaratne got the wicket of Mohammad Wasim on the first legal delivery of the 50th over, however, a six from Pakistan number 11 on the fifth delivery, see him leak 12 runs in the final over. A run-out on the final ball while stealing a double means Pakistan post finish at 322 all-out in 50 overs. A tough task ahead of host Sri Lanka to qualify for the final.

300 runs up for Pakistan

Two sixes from Mohammad Wasim in the 48th over and Pakistan have brought up 300 runs on the board. Momentum back in Pakistan's favour.

OUT: Butt departs for 7

Mubasir's sacrifice did not pay off for Butt as he gets out for 7 off 11. Off-cutter from Madushan and Butt ends up getting caught and bowled. Sri Lanka have recovered significantly in the final overs.

OUT! Terrible mix-up in middle

A full length delivery from Samarakoon hits Butt on his pads and bounces off towards the short cover fielder. An easy single was there and Mubasir goes for it but only to be sent back by Butt. However, a timely throw brings an end to Mubasir's 42-run knock off 45 balls. PAK A: 281/7 in 46 overs. Butt (5 off 8)

BOWLED! Haris gone

Mohammad Haris departs after hitting fift. A brilliant yorker from Samarakoon to start the 44th over. PAK A: 266/6 in 43.1 overs

Fifty for captain Haris

A 40-ball fifty from Pakistan A captain Mohammad Haris. A brilliant innings from him. Mubasir Khan and Haris are well on course to take Pakistan past 300. Sri Lanka in trouble. PAK A: 265/5 in 42.4 overs. Haris (51 off 41), Mubasir (38 off 38)

PAK A vs SL A Live: Pakistan cruising

Pakistan A are in complete control of the match as of now. Captain Mohammad Haris is playing aggressively and finding regular boundaries. Mubasir Khan is giving him a very good support. Haris (37 off 27), Khan (18* off 24) PAK A: 229/5 in 38 overs.

OUT! Yousuf departs for 88

Crucial wicket for Sri Lanka at a time when Pakistan were scoring at a brisk rate. Omair Yousuf departs for 88 off 79 while trying to cut a delivery over point. Pramod Madushan strikes and break the 48-run partnership off 37 balls after a good catch from Arachchige at point. PAK A: 193/5 in 32.2 overs.