Sri Lanka’s Asia Cup journey started with a loss against Afghanistan. The champion of this tournament is the team that wasn’t even in count. Super win against Pakistan on Super Sunday.
Sri Lanka lost the toss and batted first in Sunday’s match. Pakistan took the wicket in the first over. Lankans was in danger in front of Pakistan bowlers. In the end they scored 170 runs for 6 wickets in Rajapaksa’s unbeaten innings of 71 runs. With a target of 171 runs, Pakistan was bowled out for 147 runs. Dasun Shanaka’s Sri Lanka won by 23 runs.
“I want to thank the crowd; they have been supporting us massively. Hopefully we made the fans back home proud today,” said an elated Shanaka after beating Pakistan in the final of the Asia Cup at the desert ground.
Shanaka added, “ In the IPL 2021, Chennai (Super Kings) won the match batting first and that is what was in my mind. These youngsters know the conditions really well. Hasaranga and Rajapaksa made a huge impact after losing five wickets.”
Sri Lanka lost their first game. “It can happen to any good team. Our discussions were very serious. We have very good players and we won the championship,” Shanaka said.
With this, Sri Lanka became the champion for the 6th time in the Asia Cup. India has won the tournament maximum 7 times. Lanka is just behind India. After the Sangakkara-Jayawardene era, this performance of the Lankans announced a beginning of new start in Sri Lankan cricket.