Venkatesh Prasad and Ravichandran Ashwin Praise Pramod Madushan’s Match Awareness During PAK vs. SL in Colombo for the 2023 Asia Cup

On Friday, Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan in a thrilling game of last ball to go to the final of the upcoming Asia Cup 2023.

With two wickets in hand, Dasun Shanaka’s team won the match. Zaman Khan’s team was eliminated from the competition after failing to defend eight runs in the last over.

However, during the simulated knockout at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lankan spinner Pramod Madushan was commended by former Indian pacer Venkatesh Prasad for his prudent game understanding.

Sri Lanka needed six runs off the last three deliveries and Madushan was on strike against Zaman. A full and somewhat broader delivery from Zaman’s bowling beat him, and the ball ended up with Mohammad Rizwan behind the wickets.

At the non-striker’s end, Charith Asalanka ran for a single to join the strike.

It’s interesting to note that Madushan made sure the designated batter didn’t get out by standing back and keeping his bat within the crease until Asalanka reached his end.

As Zaman succeeded in removing the stumps, Madushan gave up his wicket by being run out at the opposite end.

Asalanka then scored the decisive runs on the last delivery after hitting a catch off an edge on the penultimate ball to give his squad a spectacular victory and advance to the championship game.

In response, Prasad said Ravichandran Ashwin will be quite pleased by the cunning move.

“Pramod Madhusudan showed excellent game awareness last night. stayed in the crease till Asalanka arrived. Amazingly good. Probably one of the best at using the rules effectively, @ashwinravi99 would be quite pleased, he wrote on X.

Veteran Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin responded to Venkatesh’s appraisal right away.

“Absolutely! When the goalkeeper missed his effort and began sprinting, Asalanka was racing down the field (high-octane pressure), but this man held his ground. All I can say is that practice produces these kinds of responses, which are most common in tennis ball cricket, Ashwin said.

Due to significant contributions from Kusal Mendis (91) and Sadeera Samarawickrama (48), Sri Lanka were extremely strong in pursuing the goal of 252 runs in the rain-shortened match that was reduced to 42 overs.

Despite missing their individual milestones, the pair put up a 100-run partnership for the third wicket before their side encountered difficulties due to early wicket losses.

With Madushan’s unheralded but significant help, Asalanka maintained their unblemished record at 49 while Madushan was removed.

On Sunday, September 17, at the same location, Sri Lanka will now square off against India in the top match.