A horror start to their run chase and laborious batting in the middle overs consigned Pakistan to a 23-run defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka in the final of the Asia Cup 2022 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

The Green Shirts had a brilliant start to their evening, having won the all-important toss and deciding to field first — a trick that had worked for them every single time in the tournament until tonight.

Their pace attack featuring Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf gave them a dream start and at one point it had seemed as if Sri Lanka would even be able to bat out their full overs. However, after the first 10 overs, Pakistan captain Babar Azam surprisingly opted for a defensive approach, allowing Sri Lanka to make an almost miraculous recovery to finish with 170-6.

In reply, Babar Azam failed for the sixth straight time in the tournament and Fakhar Zaman was castled on a golden duck. That forced the pairing of Mohammad Rizwan and Iftikhar Ahmed to bat conservatively — a job they probably did for longer than required.

As the required run rate soared to 12, Pakistan batters took their chances but their gambles failed miserably as Sri Lankans did not allow them an inch and did not put a foot wrong.

In the end, an astonishing collapse saw Pakistan fold for 147 as Sri Lanka were crowned champions for the sixth time.

End of live thread

Sri Lanka have won the final by 23 runs.

147-10 after 20 overs: Karunaratne to Rauf, OUT BOWLED.

147-9 after 19.5 overs: Karunaratne to Rauf, 6 runs.

141-9 after 19.4 overs: Karunaratne to Rauf, no run.

141-9 after 19.3 overs: Karunaratne to Hasnain, 1 run.

140-9 after 19.2 overs: Karunaratne to Rauf, 1 run.

139-9 after 19.1 overs: Karunaratne to Rauf, no run.

Mohammad Hasnain 7 (3), Haris Rauf 6 (4)

139-9 after 19 overs: Madushan to Rauf, 6 runs.

133-9 after 18.5 overs: Madushan to Rauf, 1 run.

132-9 after 18.5 overs: Madushan to Rauf, 1 run, wide.

131-9 after 18.5 overs: Madushan to Rauf, 5 runs, free hit.

126-9 after 18.4 overs: Madushan to Hasnain, 1 run.

125-9 after 18.3 overs: Madushan to Hasnain, no run.

125-9 after 18.2 overs: Madushan to Naseem (4), OUT CAUGHT.

125-8 after 18.1 overs: Madushan to Naseem, 4 runs.

121-8 after 18.1 overs: Madushan to Naseem, 1 run, wide.

Haris Rauf 1 (2)

120-8 after 18 overs: Theekshana to Shadab (8), OUT CAUGHT.

120-7 after 17.5 overs: Theekshana to Shadab, 2 runs.

118-7 after 17.4 overs: Theekshana to Rauf, 1 run.

117-7 after 17.3 overs: Theekshana to Shadab, 1 run.

116-7 after 17.2 overs: Theekshana to Shadab, no run.

116-7 after 17.1 overs: Theekshana to Shadab, 4 runs.

Haris Rauf 0 (1), Shadab Khan 1 (1)

112-7 after 17 overs: de Silva to Rauf, no run.

112-7 after 16.5 overs: de Silva to Khushdil (2), OUT CAUGHT.

112-6 after 16.4 overs: de Silva to Shadab, 1 run.

111-6 after 16.3 overs: de Silva to Asif (0), OUT BOWLED.

111-5 after 16.2 overs: de Silva to Khushdil, 1 run.

110-5 after 16.1 overs: de Silva to Rizwan (55), OUT CAUGHT.

Mohammad Rizwan 55 (48), Khushdil Shah 1 (2)

110-4 after 16 overs: Karunaratne to Rizwan, 1 run.

109-4 after 15.5 overs: Karunaratne to Rizwan, 6 runs.

103-4 after 15.4 overs: Karunaratne to Khushdil, 1 run.

102-4 after 15.3 overs: Karunaratne to Khushdil, no run.

102-4 after 15.2 overs: Karunaratne to Nawaz (6), OUT CAUGHT.

102-3 after 15.1 overs: Karunaratne to Rizwan, 1 run.

Mohammad Nawaz 6 (8), Mohammad Rizwan 47 (45)

101-3 after 15 overs: Dhananjaya to Nawaz, no run.

101-3 after 14.5 overs: Dhananjaya to Nawaz, no run.

101-3 after 14.4 overs: Dhananjaya to Nawaz, no run.

101-3 after 14.3 overs: Dhananjaya to Nawaz, no run.

101-3 after 14.2 overs: Dhananjaya to Nawaz, 2 runs.

99-3 after 14.1 overs: Dhananjaya to Nawaz, 2 runs.

Mohammad Nawaz 2 (2), Mohammad Rizwan 47 (45)

97-3 after 14 overs: Madushan to Nawaz, 1 run.

96-3 after 13.5 overs: Madushan to Rizwan, 1 run.

95-3 after 13.4 overs: Madushan to Nawaz, 1 run.

94-3 after 13.3 overs: Madushan to Rizwan, 1 run.

Comment: With just three runs and no boundaries in the previous over, Iftikhar had to take the risk. He takes it but it doesn’t pay off as he holes out at deep backward square leg.

93-3 after 13.2 overs: Madushan to Iftikhar (33), OUT CAUGHT.

93-2 after 13.2 overs: Madushan to Iftikhar, 1 run, wide.

92-2 after 13.1 overs: Madushan to Rizwan, 1 run.

Iftikhar Ahmed 32 (30), Mohammad Rizwan 44 (42)

Comment: Theekshana erases the damage done in the previous over by giving away just three runs as require rate jumps up again.

91-2 after 13 overs: Theekshana to Iftikhar, no run.

91-2 after 12.5 overs: Theekshana to Iftikhar, no run.

91-2 after 12.4 overs: Theekshana to Iftikhar, no run.

91-2 after 12.3 overs: Theekshana to Rizwan, 1 run.

90-2 after 12.2 overs: Theekshana to Rizwan, no run.

90-2 after 12.1 overs: Theekshana to Rizwan, 2 runs.

Mohammad Rizwan 41 (39), Iftikhar Ahmed 32 (27)

88-2 after 12 overs: de Silva to Rizwan, 1 run.

87-2 after 11.5 overs: de Silva to Iftikhar, 1 run.

86-2 after 11.4 overs: de Silva to Iftikhar, 2 runs.

84-2 after 11.3 overs: de Silva to Iftikhar, 4 runs.

80-2 after 11.2 overs: de Silva to Iftikhar, 6 runs.

74-2 after 11.1 overs: de Silva to Iftikhar, no run.

Mohammad Rizwan 40 (38), Iftikhar Ahmed 19 (22)

74-2 after 11 overs: Karunaratne to Rizwan, 2 runs.

72-2 after 10.5 overs: Karunaratne to Iftikhar, 1 run.

71-2 after 10.4 overs: Karunaratne to Rizwan, 1 run.

70-2 after 10.3 overs: Karunaratne to Iftikhar, 1 run.

69-2 after 10.2 overs: Karunaratne to Rizwan, 1 run.

68-2 after 10.1 overs: Karunaratne to Rizwan, no run.

Iftikhar Ahmed 17 (20), Mohammad Rizwan 36 (34)

Comment: Rizwan survives an lbw review against Hasaranga. No boundaries this over though as Pakistan pair pick up five singles.

68-2 after 10 overs: de Silva to Iftikhar, no run.

68-2 after 9.5 overs: de Silva to Rizwan, 1 run.

67-2 after 9.4 overs: de Silva to Iftikhar, 1 run.

66-2 after 9.3 overs: de Silva to Rizwan, 1 run.

65-2 after 9.2 overs: de Silva to Iftikhar, 1 run.

64-2 after 9.1 overs: de Silva to Rizwan, 1 run.

Mohammad Rizwan 33 (31), Iftikhar Ahmed 15 (17)

Comment: Rizwan plays a late cut off Theekshana to again find an early boundary and then risk is avoided for the rest of the over. Once again, 10 off it.

The plan appears to be to find a risk-free boundary early and surround it with singles and doubles to get 10 every over.

63-2 after 9 overs: Theekshana to Rizwan, 1 run.

62-2 after 8.5 overs: Theekshana to Rizwan, 2 runs.

60-2 after 8.4 overs: Theekshana to Iftikhar, 1 run.

59-2 after 8.3 overs: Theekshana to Rizwan, 1 run.

58-2 after 8.2 overs: Theekshana to Rizwan, 4 runs.

54-2 after 8.1 overs: Theekshana to Iftikhar, 1 run

Iftikhar Ahmed 13 (15), Mohammad Rizwan 25 (27)

Comment: A pulled four off the first ball relieves some pressure and that also sees Rizwan and Iftikhar avoid risks for the rest of the over. Ten off it.

53-2 after 8 overs: Karunaratne to Iftikhar, 1 run.

52-2 after 7.5 overs: Karunaratne to Rizwan, 1 run.

51-2 after 7.4 overs: Karunaratne to Iftikhar, 1 run.

50-2 after 7.3 overs: Karunaratne to Rizwan, 1 run.

49-2 after 7.2 overs: Karunaratne to Rizwan, 2 runs.

47-2 after 7.1 overs: Karunaratne to Rizwan, 4 runs.

Iftikhar Ahmed 11 (13), Mohammad Rizwan 17 (23)

43-2 after 7 overs: de Silva to Iftikhar, no run.

43-2 after 6.5 overs: de Silva to Rizwan, 1 run.

42-2 after 6.4 overs: de Silva to Iftikhar, 1 run.

41-2 after 6.3 overs: de Silva to Iftikhar, no run.

Comment: Iftikhar finds a much-needed boundary off of Hasaranga but he will have to get plenty more of those if this match is to go down to the wire.

41-2 after 6.2 overs: de Silva to Iftikhar, 4 runs.

37-2 after 6.1 overs: de Silva to Iftikhar, no run

Iftikhar Ahmed 6 (8), Mohammad Rizwan 16 (22)

37-2 after 6 overs: Madushan to Iftikhar, 1 run.

36-2 after 5.5 overs: Madushan to Rizwan, 1 run.

35-2 after 5.4 overs: Madushan to Iftikhar, 1 run.

34-2 after 5.3 overs: Madushan to Iftikhar, no run.

34-2 after 5.2 overs: Madushan to Iftikhar, 2 runs.

32-2 after 5.1 overs: Madushan to Iftikhar, no run.

Mohammad Rizwan 15 (22), Iftikhar Ahmed 2 (2)

32-2 after 5 overs: Madushanka to Rizwan, 4 runs.

28-2 after 4.5 overs: Madushanka to Rizwan, no run.

28-2 after 4.4 overs: Madushanka to Iftikhar, 1 run.

27-2 after 4.3 overs: Madushanka to Iftikhar, no run.

27-2 after 4.2 overs: Madushanka to Rizwan, 1 run.

26-2 after 4.1 overs: Madushanka to Rizwan, 2 runs.

Mohammad Rizwan 8 (17), Iftikhar Ahmed 1 (1)

Comment: Run chase in tatters as Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman vanish on back-to-back balls of the fourth over bowled by Pramod Madushan.

24-2 after 4 overs: Madushan to Rizwan, 1 run.

23-2 after 3.5 overs: Madushan to Rizwan, no run.

22-2 after 3.4 overs: Madushan to Iftikhar, 1 run.

22-2 after 3.3 overs: Madushan to Zaman (0), OUT BOWLED.

22-1 after 3.2 overs: Madushan to Azam (5), OUT CAUGHT.

22-0 after 3.1 overs: Madushan to Azam, 2 runs.

Mohammad Rizwan 7 (15), Babar Azam 3 (4)

Comment: Rizwan finds the first boundary of Pakistan’s innings and had more opportunities later but can only find the fielders on the off side.

20-0 after 3 overs: Madushanka to Rizwan, no run.

20-0 after 2.5 overs: Madushanka to Rizwan, no run.

20-0 after 2.4 overs: Madushanka to Rizwan, no run.

20-0 after 2.3 overs: Madushanka to Rizwan, no run.

20-0 after 2.2 overs: Madushanka to Rizwan, 4 runs.

16-0 after 2.1 overs: Madushanka to Rizwan, no run.

Babar Azam 3 (4), Mohammad Rizwan 3 (9)

16-0 after 2 overs: Theekshana to Azam, 2 runs.

14-0 after 1.5 overs: Theekshana to Rizwan, 1 run.

13-0 after 1.4 overs: Theekshana to Rizwan, no run.

13-0 after 1.3 overs: Theekshana to Rizwan, no run.

13-0 after 1.2 overs: Theekshana to Rizwan, no run.

13-0 after 1.2 overs: Theekshana to Rizwan, 1 run, wide.

12-0 after 1.1 overs: Theekshana to Rizwan, no run.

Mohammad Rizwan 2 (4), Babar Azam 1 (3)

12-0 after 1 over: Madushanka to Rizwan, 1 run.

11-0 after 0.5 over: Madushanka to Rizwan, no run.

11-0 after 0.4 over: Madushanka to Azam, 1 run.

10-0 after 0.3 over: Madushanka to Azam, no run.

10-0 after 0.2 over: Madushanka to Azam, no run.

10-0 after 0.1 over: Madushanka to Rizwan, 1 run.

Comment: Incredible start to the Pakistan innings as Dilshan Madushanka bowls a barrage of wides and gives away 9 runs in extras before bowling his first legal delivery. He is finding early swing just as Pakistan pacers had, which should keep Babar and Rizwan honest.

9-0 after 0.1 over: Madushanka to Rizwan, 1 run, wide.

8-0 after 0.1 over: Madushanka to Rizwan, 5 runs, wide.

3-0 after 0.1 over: Madushanka to Rizwan, 1 run, wide.

2-0 after 0.1 over: Madushanka to Rizwan, 1 run, wide.

1-0 after 0.1 over: Madushanka to Rizwan, 1 run, free hit.

Story at the break: Shadab Khan’s twin acts of horrible fielding were the main talking points as Pakistan threw away a brilliant start provided by their pacers Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf to allow Sri Lanka to post a total of 170 runs for 6 wickets.

The Green Shirts dominated the first 10 overs and had Sri Lanka reeling at 67-5 at the halfway mark but then appeared to take their foot off the pedal as Sri Lanka staged a brilliant fightback. The chief architect of their comeback was Bhanuka Rajapaksa, who scored a half century under massive pressure and formed a valuable 58-run partnership with Wanindu Hasaranga for the sixth wicket.

Shadab, who was hit on the head while fielding earlier in the innings, dropped one and made Asif Ali drop another as he had a rare evening to forget in the field.

End of Sri Lanka innings

Bhanuka Rajapaksa 71(45), Chamika Karunaratne 14 (14)

170-6 after 20 overs: Naseem to Rajapakse, 6 runs

164-6 after 19.5 overs: Naseem to Rajapakse, 4 runs

160-6 after 19.4 overs: Naseem to Rajapakse, 0 run

160-6 after 19.3 overs: Naseem to Rajapakse, 2 runs

158-6 after 19.2 overs: Naseem to Rajapakse, 2 runs

156-6 after 19.1 overs: Naseem to Karunaratne , 1 run

Comment: Shadab pulls a Fakhar Zaman. He swoops in for what was supposed to be a simple Asif Ali catch. Neither man caught the ball, which sailed over the boundary line somehow.

Bhanuka Rajapaksa 57(40), Chamika Karunaratne 13 (13)

155-6 after 19 overs: Hasnain to Rajapakse, 6 run

149-6 after 18.5 overs: Hasnain to Rajapakse, 0 run

149-6 after 18.4 overs: Hasnain to Rajapakse, 0 run

149-6 after 18.3 overs: Hasnain to Rajapakse, 0 run

149-6 after 18.2 overs: Hasnain to Karunaratne, 1 run

148-6 after 18.1 overs: Hasnain to Rajapakse, 1 run

Chamika Karunaratne 12 (12), Bhanuka Rajapaksa 50(35)

147-6 after 18 overs: Rauf to Rajapakse, 1 run

146-6 after 17.5 overs: Rauf to Karunaratne, 1 run

145-6 after 17.4 overs: Rauf to Rajapakse, 3 runs (dropped catch)

142-6 after 17.3 overs: Rauf to Karunaratne, 1 run

141-6 after 17.2 overs: Rauf to Karunaratne, 4 runs

137-6 after 17.1 overs: Rauf to Rajapakse, 1 run

Comment: Big over for Sri Lanka as Naseem is hit for two sixes — one each by Rajapaksa and Karunaratne.

Chamika Karunaratne 10 (9), Bhanuka Rajapaksa 45 (32)

136-6 after 17 overs: Naseem to Karunaratne, 6 runs

130-6 after 16.5 overs: Naseem to Rajapaksa, 1 run

129-6 after 16.4 overs: Naseem to Rajapaksa, 6 runs

123-6 after 16.3 overs: Naseem to Karunaratne, 1 run

122-6 after 16.2 overs: Naseem to Rajapaksa, 1 run

121-6 after 16.1 overs: Naseem to Karunaratne, 1 run

Comment: Mohammad Nawaz, Pakistan’s best bowler of the tournament, gets to bowl his first over in the 16th over of the innings. He gives away just three.

Chamika Karunaratne 3(6), Bhanuka Rajapaksa 38 (31)

120-6 after 16 overs: Rauf to Karunaratne, 1 run

119-6 after 15.5 overs: Rauf to Karunaratne, 0 run

119-6 after 15.4 overs: Rauf to Rajapaksa, 1 run

118-6 after 15.3 overs: Rauf to Karunaratne, 1 run

117-6 after 15.2 overs: Rauf to Karunaratne, 0 run

117-6 after 15.1 overs: Rauf to Karunaratne, 0 run

Finally! Nawaz is brought into the attack

Comment: Haris Rauf is brought back into the attack and he doesn’t disappoint again. After being slapped for back-to-back boundaries, he makes Hasaranga nick one back to Rizwan as Sri Lanka lose 6th wicket.

Chamika Karunaratne 1(1), Bhanuka Rajapaksa 37 (28)

118-6 after 15 overs: Rauf to Karunaratne, 1 run

116-6 after 14.5 overs: Rauf to Hasaranga de Silva (36), OUT (CAUGHT)

116-5 after 14.4 overs: Rauf to Hasaranga de Silva, 4 runs

112-5 after 14.3 overs: Rauf to Hasaranga de Silva, 4 runs

108-5 after 14.2 overs: Rauf to Hasaranga de Silva, 2 runs

106-5 after 14.1 overs: Rauf to Hasaranga de Silva, 0 run

Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva 26 (16), Bhanuka Rajapaksa 37 (28)

106-5 after 14 overs: Shadab to Hasaranga de Silva, 1 run (leg bye)

105-5 after 13.5 overs: Shadab to Hasaranga de Silva, 0 run

105-5 after 13.4 overs: Shadab to Hasaranga de Silva, 0 run

105-5 after 13.3 overs: Shadab to Rajapaksa, 1 run

104-5 after 13.2 overs: Shadab to Rajapaksa, 4 runs

100-5 after 13.1 overs: Shadab to Hasaranga de Silva, 1 run

Comment: As spin’s effect was fading, Hasnain is reintroduced into the attack. He goes finding yorkers, doesn’t find them and is hit for a four at deep extra cover by Hasaranga, who also finds a six later in the over. 14 off it as Sri Lanka threaten to stage a batting comeback.

Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva 25 (12), Bhanuka Rajapaksa 32 (26)

99-5 after 13 overs: Hasnain to Hasaranga de Silva, 1 run

98-5 after 12.5 overs: Hasnain to Hasaranga de Silva, 6 runs

92-5 after 12.4 overs: Hasnain to Hasaranga de Silva, 2 runs

90-5 after 12.3 overs: Hasnain to Hasaranga de Silva, 4 runs

86-5 after 12.2 overs: Hasnain to Hasaranga de Silva, 0 run

86-5 after 12.1 overs: Hasnain to Rajapaksa, 1 run

Comment: The pairing of Rajapaksa and Hasaranga are now finding regular boundaries and might force Babar to rethink his plan a little.

Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva 12 (7), Bhanuka Rajapaksa 31 (25)

85-5 after 12 overs: iftikhar to Rajapaksa, 1 run

84-5 after 11.5 overs: iftikhar to Rajapaksa, 4 runs

80-5 after 11.4 overs: iftikhar to Hasaranga de Silva, 1 run

79-5 after 11.3 overs: iftikhar to Rajapaksa, 1 run

78-5 after 11.2 overs: iftikhar to Rajapaksa, 0 run

78-5 after 11.1 overs: iftikhar to Hasaranga de Silva, 1 run

Comment: Rajapaksa takes a chances on Shadab and finds a much-needed boundary. He’d have to stick around till the end of the innings if this final is to become competitive. Hasaranga also finds a boundary later in the over. 10 off it.

Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva 10 (5), Bhanuka Rajapaksa 25 (21)

77-5 after 11 overs: Shadab to Rajapaksa, 0 run

77-5 after 10.5 overs: Shadab to Hasaranga de Silva, 1 run

76-5 after 10.4 overs: Shadab to Hasaranga de Silva, 4 runs

72-5 after 10.3 overs: Shadab to Rajapaksa, 1 run

71-5 after 10.2 overs: Shadab to Rajapaksa, 4 runs

67-5 after 10.1 overs: Shadab to Rajapaksa, 0 run

Comment: Wicket in his first over and presence of Rajapaksa mean that Iftikhar gets another over. He nearly gets another caught and bowled opportunity but the ball falls short. Just 5 off the over.

Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva 5 (3), Bhanuka Rajapaksa 20 (17)

67-5 after 10 overs: Iftikhar to Hasaranga de Silva, 0 run

67-5 after 9.5 overs: Iftikhar to Rajapaksa, 1 run

66-5 after 9.4 overs: Iftikhar to Rajapaksa, 0 run

66-5 after 9.3 overs: Iftikhar to Rajapaksa, 2 runs

64-5 after 9.2 overs: Iftikhar to Hasaranga de Silva, 1 run

63-5 after 9.1 overs: Iftikhar to Rajapaksa, 1 run

Comment: Shanaka with a no nothing shot. He tries to slog, misses it completely and lets Shadab disturbs his stumps. With Lanka five down, Pakistan are now well and truly on top. The last ball goes for a four but it doesn’t matter much in the larger scheme of things.

Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva 4 (1), Bhanuka Rajapaksa 16 (13)

62-5 after 9 overs: Shadab to Hasaranga de Silva, 4 runs.

58-5 after 8.5 overs: Shadab to Shanaka (2), OUT (BOWLED).

58-4 after 8.4 overs: Shadab to Rajapaksa, 1 run.

58-4 after 8.3 overs: Shadab to Rajapaksa, 0 run.

57-4 after 8.2 overs: Shadab to Shanaka, 1 run.

56-4 after 8.1 overs: Shadab to Rajapaksa, 1 run.

Comment: With lefty Rajapaksa at the crease, Babar takes a gamble and tosses the ball to Iftikhar, who hadn’t bowled a single over in the entire tournament until this point. The gamble pays off but for the plan that never was. Righty Dhananjaya smacks one straight back to Iftikhar who holds on.

Bhanuka Rajapaksa 14 (10), Dasun Shanaka 1 (1)

55-4 after 8 overs: Iftikhar to Rajapaksa, 1 run.

54-4 after 7.5 overs: Iftikhar to Shanaka, 1 run.

53-4 after 7.4 overs: Iftikhar to de Silva (28), OUT (CAUGHT)

52-3 after 7.3 overs: Iftikhar to Rajapaksa, 1 runs

52-3 after 7.2 overs: Iftikhar to Rajapaksa, 4 runs

48-3 after 7.1 overs: Iftikhar to Dhananjaya, 1 run

Dhananjaya de Silva 27 (19), Rajapaksa 8 (7)

Comment: Spin introduced for the first time as Shadab gives away just five singles in his opening over.

47-3 after 7 overs: Shadab to Dhananjaya, 1 run

46-3 after 6.5 overs: Shadab to Rajapaksa, 0 run

46-3 after 6.4 overs: Shadab to Rajapaksa, 1 run

45-3 after 6.3 overs: Shadab to de Silva, 1 run

44-3 after 6.2 overs: Shadab to Rajapaksa, 1 run

43-3 after 6.1 overs: Shadab to de Silva, 1 run

Comment: Superb over by Haris Rauf. He castles Gunathilaka with a fast and swinging delivery and produces an edge off Rajapaksa off his very first ball. Later in the over he hits Rajapaksa on the pads and makes his captain take a review but doesn’t get the decision he wanted. Shadab seems alright and is being his usual live wire self in the field.

Dhananjaya de Silva 24 (15), Danushka Gunathilaka 6 (5)

42-3 after 6 overs: Rauf to Rajapaksa, 2 runs

40-3 after 5.5 overs: Rauf to Rajapaksa, 0 run (Review for LBW) - Not out

40-3 after 5.4 overs: Rauf to Rajapaksa, 0 run.

40-3 after 5.3 overs: Rauf to Rajapaksa, 0 run.

40-3 after 5.2 overs: Rauf to Rajapaksa, 4 runs.

36-3 after 5.1 overs: Rauf to Gunathilaka (1), OUT (BOWLED).

Comment: Hasnain is re-introduced from the other end but delivers another unremarkable over and concedes eight, including a boundary. Shadab slips and cops a throw on his head while backing up and requires some medical attention.

Dhananjaya de Silva 24 (15), Danushka Gunathilaka 1 (3)

36-2 after 5 overs: Hasnain to Gunathilaka, 1 run.

35-2 after 4.5 overs: Hasnain to Gunathilaka, 0 run.

35-2 after 4.4 overs: Hasnain to de Silva, 1 run.

34-2 after 4.3 overs: Hasnain to de Silva, 4 runs.

30-2 after 4.2 overs: Hasnain to Gunathilaka, 1 run (bye).

29-2 after 4.1 overs: Hasnain to de Silva, 1 run.

Comment: Haris Rauf does what he does best, picks up a wicket almost instantly and on order in his first over. Nissanka tries to slog him but only finds Babar at mid-off. He also finds a bit of outswing. A good over is marred by a penultimate-ball boundary though.

Dhananjaya de Silva 13 (8), Pathum Nissanka 8 (9)

28-2 after 4 overs: Rauf to de Silva, 1 run.

27-2 after 3.5 overs: Rauf to de Silva, 4 runs.

23-2 after 3.4 overs: Rauf to de Silva, 0 run.

23-2 after 3.3 overs: Rauf to de Silva, 0 run.

23-2 after 3.2 overs: Rauf to Nissanka (8), OUT (CAUGHT).

23-1 after 3.1 overs: Rauf to Nissanka, 0 run.

Dhananjaya de Silva 18 (10), Gunathilaka 0 (0)

23-1 after 3 overs: Naseem to Nissanka, 1 run.

22-1 after 2.5 overs: Naseem to de Silva, 1 run.

21-1 after 2.4 overs: Naseem to Nissanka, 1 run.

20-1 after 2.3 overs: Naseem to Nissanka, 4 runs.

16-1 after 2.2 overs: Naseem to Nissanka, 0 run.

16-1 after 2.1 overs: Naseem to Nissanka, 0 run.

Comment: While Naseem found plenty of inswing in the opening over, Hasnain went for the outswing in his opening over, but struggled to get the line right and got smacked for two boundaries through the off side.

Dhananjaya de Silva 12 (7), Pathum Nissanka 2 (4)

Comment: While Naseem found plenty of inswing in the opening over, Hasnain went for the outswing in his opening over, but struggled to get the line right and got smacked for two boundaries through the off side.

16-1 after 2 overs: Hasnain to de Silva, 2 runs.

14-1 after 1.5 overs: Hasnain to de Silva, 4 run.

10-1 after 1.4 overs: Hasnain to de Silva, wide, 1 run.

9-1 after 1.3 overs: Hasnain to de Silva , 4 runs.

5-1 after 1.2 overs: Hasnain to Nissanka, 1 run.

4-1 after 1.1 overs: Hasnain to Nissanka, 0 run.

Dhananjaya de Silva 2 (3), Pathum Nissanka 1 (2)

4-1 after 1 over: Naseem to de Silva, 2 runs.

2-1 after 0.5 over: Naseem to de Silva, 0 run.

2-1 after 0.4 over: Naseem to de Silva, 0 run.

2-1 after 0.3 over: Naseem to Mendis (0), OUT (BOWLED)!

2-0 after 0.2 over: Naseem to Nissanka, 1 run.

1-0 after 0.1 over: Naseem to Nissanka, 0 run.

Comment: Naseem Shah starts with a big wide but castles Kusal Mendis with a huge inswinger later in the over. The young tearaway is bowling fast and finding movement, which spells trouble for Lankan top order.

1-0 after 0.0 over: Naseem to Nissanka, wide, 1 run.

6:54pm: It’s time for the national anthems

6:51pm: Pakistan are the betting favourites (odds courtesy Parimatch).

Comment: Such has been the advantage of batting second that some Pakistan fans may have already started celebrating after Babar Azam won the toss. It’s a huge boost but keep in mind that the entire match is still to be played.

6:35pm: The line-ups are in:

Pakistan: Babar Azam (capt), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Shadab Khan, Asif Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain.

Sri Lanka: Kusal Mendis (wk), Pathum Nissanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Danushka Gunathilaka, Dasun Shanaka (capt), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Chamika Karunaratne, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Pramod Madushan, Dilshan Madushanka.

6:30pm: Pakistan have won the toss and chosen to bowl first.

6:20pm: Five talking points ahead of the Pak vs SL Asia Cup 2022 final

6:15pm: Pakistan look to rebound in Asia Cup final.

6:10pm: Check out what Sri Lanka have to say about taking on Pakistan in the final.

6pm: This is the start of Dawn.com’s live thread for the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Asia Cup final.