Batting all-rounder Charith Asalanka described his sensational 47-ball 49 not out as the second best knock of his career after taking Sri Lanka to the final of the Asia Cup with a two-wicket win in a last-ball thriller against Pakistan here on Thursday. The 26-year-old Asalanka kept his composure despite a mini batting collapse in the back end as Sri Lanka chased down a target of 252 in the last delivery. "I just thought how can I get two to hit a gap and run hard because it is a big field and just told Pathirana to run hard," he said after the match.

"I thought either he will bowl a bouncer or a yorker and then he bowled a slower ball, so it was in my side. I am very excited. "Mendis and Sadeera batted really well. I wanted to finish. That is my role. I can rank this innings second place in my book," he added. Kusal Mendis slammed a 87-ball 91 to set up the chase. He added 100 off 98 balls with Sadeera Samarawickrama (48).