Sri Lanka fans can smile now. They have achieved the impossible by winning the Asia Cup. The Shanaka-led side came into the tournament as dark horses. However, their loss against Afghanistan put their position in limbo. After the initial setbacks, they rediscovered their form and kept on improving in each game. In the end, they prevailed over tournament favourites, India, and thumped Bangladesh and Pakistan to reach the finals.
The 𝑪𝑯𝑨𝑴𝑷𝑰𝑶𝑵𝑺 of the #AsiaCup2022 🏆
Congratulations, Sri Lanka 👏 pic.twitter.com/c73cmcaqNz
— ICC (@ICC) September 11, 2022
In the all-important final, the island nation posted a fighting 170/6 in 20 overs, thanks to a fighting 71 by middle order batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa. The Lankan young gun batted with composure and helped his team set up a decent total, on a Dubai pitch where batting first is not entertained by captains.
Hasaranga shines for Sri Lanka
Chasing a big total, Pakistan never got going in the run chase. They lost wickets at crucial intervals. Opener Muhammed Rizwan did hit a half-century, but his slow knock (55) meant the target was always away from the Pak reach. Meanwhile, Sri Lankan mystery spinner Wanidu Hasaranga cast a web around Pak batters and returned with three wickets. In addition, Pramod Madushan also starred in an impressive four-wicket show.
Talking after the match, the Sri Lankan skipper said he was not concerned about his team’s performance after losing the toss. “In IPL 2021, Chennai won the match batting first and that is what was in my mind, we talked about it,” Shanaka said in the post-match press conference.
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Take a bow, Sri Lanka! 🙌 🙌
Men's #AsiaCup Champions for the 6️⃣th time! 🏆#RoaringForGlory #SLvPAK pic.twitter.com/9xf2sjlIBX
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) September 11, 2022
Earlier, Hasaranga also hit a valuable 36 off 21 balls to guide his side to a fighting total after a batting collapse, leaving them reeling at 60/5. For Pakistan, Haris Rauf shined with three wickets. This is a morale-boosting title for the Sri Lankan team, who is undergoing a transition phase in world cricket. It is also a respite for the country and its people who are undergoing an unprecedented economic crisis.
