Sri Lanka beat Pakistan to clinch sixth Asia Cup title
Sri Lanka’s players celebrate with the trophy at the end of the Asia Cup Twenty20 international cricket final match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai on September 11, 2022. (Photo by SURJEET YADAV / AFP)
Sri Lanka produced a dominant performance to defeat Pakistan by 23 runs in the 2022 Asia Cup final on Sunday.
Bhanuka Rajapaksa (71*) and Wanindu Hasaranga (3/27) were the stars of the night for Sri Lanka as they lifted a sixth continental title in Dubai.
Being invited to bat, the Sri Lankans posted a strong score of 170/6 in 20 overs and Pakistan, despite a strong 71-run partnership for the third wicket, gave the momentum away in the final few overs as they were bowled out on 147 in a massive batting collapse.
After asking Sri Lanka to bat first, Pakistan made a blistering start as Naseem Shah dismissed the in-form Kusal Mendis in the first over of the match, but Rajapaksa, along with Dhananjaya de Silva (28) and Wanindu Hasaranga (36) made efficient contributions to take the Lankans to a strong score in Dubai.
For Pakistan, captain Babar Azam failed again as he was dismissed on 5 off 6 balls, and even as Mohammad Rizwan (55) forged a 71-run stand with Iftikhar Ahmed (32), the men in green failed to build on the same as no player from positions 5-11 barring Haris Rauf (13) could cross double figures.
Hasaranga shined with the ball too, as he picked three wickets while conceding 27 runs in his four overs; however, Pramod Madushan, who had made his T20I debut in only Sri Lanka’s previous game against the same opponents in the Asia Cup, took four wickets including that of Babar Azam to become the leading wicket-taker in the Lankan lineup.
This was Sri Lanka’s sixth continental title, inching closer to India, the most successful team in the Asia Cup with 7 titles to their name. Additionally, this is Sri Lanka’s first Asia Cup title in the T20 format.
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Congratulations Sri Lanka! They started the tournament by losing to Afghanistan, but went on to win all the subsequent matches. Furthermore, SL became is the only team to win batting second (in a run chase).
That’s an admirably outstanding performance.
Well done guys; thanks for keeping the Lion Flag flying high.
Sure you will carry this performance through to the forthcoming World Cup in Australia.
Awry much like the team won the world cup. If they stick together and follow the same path with discipline and regular training, they have the potential to win both T20 and 50 over wold cups. Looks like gewalayas who destroyed and possessed the SL cricket have finally gone!!!!!!!!
Yesterday had been a good day. Asia cup, Asia netball finals and SL legends also won against Australia legends.
I think we should not forget all the silent heroes too behind this victory. Te coaches, physio and all the other people associated with the team like Sanga. Mahela, Arjuna as well the previous coach Micky Arthur who had not forgotten the team etc.