Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by a margin of 23 runs to win the Asia Cup for the sixth time. Bhanuka Rajapaksa’s (71* off 45) and Wanindu Hasaranga’s (36 off 21) counter-attacking batting performance, which raised Sri Lanka from 58/5 and set Pakistan a target of 171, proved to be too much for Babar Azam and company on sunday evening. For the first time since April 2014, Sri Lanka won the Asia Cup with five straight wins after being bowling Pakistan out for 147 in 20 overs in the finale clash.
Bhanuka Rajapaksa, who led Sri Lanka to victory in the Asia Cup final, considered his effort, which included 71* off 45 balls, to be among his greatest ever because it helped the team’s innings get going and move them closer to a winning score. Before Rajapaksa intervened and led his team to victory, the hosts were facing a low total of 58 for 5 in the ninth over.
“Of course it’s a wonderful moment and one of the best innings that I’ve played in a very short period of time,” Rajapaksa said in the post-match press conference. The left-hander said he and the team wanted to show their aggression in the game and hoped to ride on this success leading to the World Cup next month.
“As a nation, I think it is a great win with all the crises happening back home. These are tough times for Sri Lankans and we are glad and we hope we brought some smiles to their faces,” he added.
