Dubai: Sri Lanka outshone ‘big brothers’ Pakistan and India to lift the Asia Cup.
In Sunday’s final, the Sri Lankans came from the dead to outplay Pakistan by 23 runs to bring a smile to their countrymen who have been going through a major crisis due to the economic and political turmoil.
The Lankans had earlier beaten Team India as well as Pakistan in the Super 4 stage to sail into the final.
Tottering at 58/5 in the ninth over, Sri Lanka staged a remarkable recovery to reach 170/6, thanks to Bhanuka Rajapaksa’s brilliant unbeaten 71 off 45 balls. Wanindu Hasaranga provided him a helping hand, racing to 36 off 21 balls.
Chasing 171, Pakistan slumped to 22/2, losing out-of-form skipper Babar Azam (5) and Fakhar Zaman (0). Mohammad Rizwan and Iftikhar Ahmed tried to resurrect the innings, but their 71-run partnership didn’t come quick enough.
Once they were separated, Sri Lanka continued to make inroads with all the bowlers sticking to their task. Young medium-pacer Pramod Madhushan bagged 4/34 while leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga dismissed three Pakistan batsmen in one over to finish with 3/27.
Brief scores: Sri Lanka 170/6 in 20 overs (Bhanuka Rajapaksa 71*, Wanindu Hasaranga 36; Haris Rauf 3/29). Pakistan 147 all out in 20 overs (Md Rizwan 55, Iftikhar Ali 32; Pramod Madhushan 4/34, Hasaranga 3/27, Chamika Karunaratne 2/33).
Result: Sri Lanka won by 23 runs.
