Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by 23 runs in the final of the Asia Cup at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday to win the Asia Cup for the 6th time. Vanuka Rajapakse was the man of the match after playing an unbeaten 71 runs off 45 balls at the time of disaster in the match that brought the Lankans the title celebration. In the press conference, he revealed the secret of their success.
“It wasn’t easy. Pakistan was bowling very well. I had a good plan with Wanindu Hasaranga. The Sri Lankan team’s style was positive and didn’t take pressure. That’s what helped us score runs,” said the hero of the final, Vanuka Rajapakse, after winning the title.
Talking about the plan with Hasaranga at the crease, Rajapakse also said, “Hasaranga wanted to be aggressive during Iftikhar Ahmed’s bowling. But fortunately, we both were getting runs. Pakistan is a very good team. So, I had to change the plan in the final match and take more time at the crease.”
Sri Lanka was at danger with 58 runs for 5, Rajapakse said of the team’s target at the time, ”When Chris Silverwood (Sri Lanka head coach) came in at the water break, I said there could be 140 runs on this pitch. But we survived till the end and how many runs we managed to score, you see.”
Before the start of this year’s Asia Cup, Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka announced that they want to win the Asia Cup for the people of the country at the time of the country’s crisis. Sri Lanka’s victory in the Asia Cup this year has given the message of a new Sri Lanka. Many believe that this success of the Lankans will continue in the upcoming T20 World Cup.