Asia Cup 2022 Final: Sri Lanka clinch Asia Cup
They failed to host the Asia Cup at their home, and today they brought the Asia Cup trophy back to their home. Sri Lanka has won the Asia Cup for the sixth time
Wanindu Hasaranga : 3 wickets in 17 put the final nailSri Lanka wanted to win the Asia cup so desperately that even losing the toss couldn't stop them from winning. After losing the opening match against Afghanistan, they beat everyone - Bangladesh, Afghanistan, India, Pakistan and again Pakistan- to clinch the title.
"They played like true champions, they deserve the win. They put us under pressure at key moments and won the match despite losing the toss.", said Mohammad Rizwan after losing the final.
Every cricket fan has fallen in love with this Sri Lankan team's effort in this match. They had to push extra for everything, and they fought hard.
First, they lost the toss in Dubai, and Pakistan became the favourites to win the match at that point only.
Then Bhanuka Rajapaksa prevented a humiliating end to Sri Lanka's first innings when he pulled his team from a dreadful position of 58/5 in 8.5 overs to a fantastic total of 170/6, which gave confidence to bowlers to defend.
Bhanuka Rajapaksa's unbeaten 71 off 45 was supported by Wanindu Hasaranga when he added 36 from 21 balls to accelerate the total.
Then came the most magical effort. While defending, the bowlers and fielders together didn't let Pakistan score at a higher run rate which built the pressure. Then, Wanindu Hasaranga ended even the slightest hope that was building.
Pakistan required 61 runs in the last 24 balls, and Mohammad Rizwan was playing on 55*. In the most important over for both teams, Wanindu Hasaranga destroyed Pakistan by taking three wickets and giving just two runs.
Apart from Mohammad Rizwan (55) and Iftikhar Ahmed (32), nobody could stand to face Sri Lankan bowling. Along with Wanindu Hasaranga, Pramod Madushan Liyanagamage was clinical to return with four wickets.
Harsha Bhogle said, "Yes, Pakistan have a middle-order issue. But there is another. You cannot be 55(49) in a 170 chase."
Sri Lanka won the game by 23 runs taking the 10th wicket of Pakistan on the last ball.
They will be super proud of their team after defeating their finalist opponent twice in both ways, chasing and defending. A hard-to-believe fact is that Asia Cup Champions don't even have direct qualification for the T20 World Cup Tournament commencing next month.
Sri Lanka now directly has their next fixture against Zimbabwe in the World Cup, whereas Pakistan will host England for a 7-match T20I series.