Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by six wickets

Dinesh WEERAWANSA reporting from China

Sri Lanka's last chance for at least a bronze medal in cricket was shattered by Pakistan which won the third place play-off match by six wickets at Guanggong Cricket Stadium here today. It was a consolation game for the two favourites teams after both of them suffered shock defeats at the hands of Bangladesh and Afghanistan respectively. Pakistan which suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of Afghanistan in yesterday's semi-finals, did well to beat Sri Lanka off the penultimate ball. Chasing Sri Lanka's respectable total of 135 all out in 18 overs, Pakis tan reached the target in 19.5 overs for the loss of only four wickets.

It was opener Khalid Latif who was instrumental in that exciting win over Jehan Mubarak's men with an unbeaten half century - 53 not out off 42 balls with two sixers and four boundaries. Shaharwer Ghani chipped in with an explosive 30 off 28 balls as Lankan bowlers made a desperate attempt to stop their opponents.

Earlier in the morning, Sri Lanka, batting first, made 135 all out off 18 overs. They got off to a good start with Jeewantha Kulatunga (31) and Nuwan Zoysa (24) putting on 53 runs for the first wicket. But they failed to make use of the solid start and lost their grip as Pakistan bowlers came back into the picture.

Chief scores:

Sri Lanka: 135 all out in 18 overs (Jeewantha Kulatunga 31, Nuwan Zoysa 24, Dilshan Munaweera 28, Reza Hassan 2 for 19).

Pakistan: 141 for 4 in 19.5 overs (Khalid Latif 53 n.o, Sheharwer Ghani 30, Bulawei Bhatti 25 n.o, Sajeewa Weerakoon 1 for 9, Jehan Mubarak 1 for 11). GUNANZHOU, Friday