Sri Lanka claimed their sixth Asia Cup title by defeating Pakistan by 23 runs in the final of 15th edition of Asia Cup at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Even after losing the first match of the tournament against Afghanistan, the Sri Lankan team orchestrated an amazing turnaround and proved why they have been the most trustworthy squad in the Asia Cup during the last fourteen days of high voltage cricketing action in Dubai by claiming a big victory to win Asia Cup 2022 title.
During the night of the final, Sri Lanka was struggling at 58 for five at one point, before smashing knocks from Rajapaksa (71*), Dhananjaya de Silva (28) and Wanindu Hasaranga (36) drove them to a respectable total. Later, their bowlers left no stone unturned to make their side win the prestigious cup.
SL Vs PAK Asia Cup final match summary
Invited to bat, Sri Lanka faced a dreary start as lost their in-form batter Kusal Mendis on the third bowl of the opening over itself.
Nissanka and Dhananjaya de Silva then try to open their arms but the Pakistani bowlers were too dominating on the night of the final with ball during the powerplay overs with their 140-plus swinging deliveries.
Sri Lanka lost their 3 top-batters for 36 and witnessed another setback when well-set de Silva gone for 28 and skipper Shanaka walked back after scoring just 2.
Despite a tight situation of 58 for 5, both Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Wanindu Hasaranga followed the aggressive approach and added 58 for the sixth wicket.
Bhanuka Rajapaksa smashed an unbeaten 71 off 45 to help Sri Lanka put 170/6 on board after 20.0 overs
Haris Rauf was Pakistan’s best bowler, taking three wickets, followed by Naseem Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Shadab Khan, each of whom claimed one wicket.
Chasing a target of 171, Pakistan witnessed an unusual first over, where Sri Lankan bowler Dilshan Madushanka gave away 9 runs with no-ball and wides without bowling a single right delivery.
The men in green, however, failed to build pressure on Sri Lanka as they lost 2 quick wickets under 25, including skipper Babar Azam’s.
However, in-form Rizwan Khan and Iftikhar Ahmed added 71-run for the third wicket and put Pakistan back in game.
It was Pramod Madushan who brought back in attack for the fourteenth over and he didn’t disappoint his team as he provided the third breakthrough to Sri Lanka by removing Iftikhar (32).
Mohammad Nawaz the came into the crease and walked back to pavilion in no time with Pakistan needed 69 off 28.
After contributing significantly with the bat, Hasaranga then shines with the ball as first he got rid off half-centurion Rizwan Khan, and then power-hitters Asif Ali and Khushdil Shah all in one over that set the tone for Sri Lanka’s triumph.
Pakistan were unable to return from that stage and bowled out for 147 to hand Sri Lanka a 23-run victory.
SL Vs PAK Asia Cup 2022 final: Who won the player of the match award?
Bhanuka Rajapaksa has won the player of the match award for his spectacular unbeaten 71-run knock in just 45 balls with the help of six fours and 3 sixes.
Asia Cup 2022: Who won the player of the tournament?
Wanindu Hasaranga of Sri Lanka has been awarded with the player of the tournament awarded for his magnificent all-round performance in the tournament. He picked 9 wickets in 6 games, including 3 important in the night of the final. On top of that, he did an equally well job with the bat as well as he scored 66 runs in 6 games at a strike rate of 150.
