DUBAI: In a high scoring final, Sri Lanka were crowned the Asia Cup 2022 Champions when they defeated Pakistan by 23 runs short while ago at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. This is Sri Lanka’s 6th Asia Cup title after winning the cup last in 2014. A glorious victory under the leadership of Dasun Shanka the young team has won the last five T20 matches after losing the opening match to Afghanistan. Sri Lanka won matches against Bangladesh in the group round and thereafter three matches in the Super 4 round (beating Afghanistan, India and Pakistan) and now the final against Pakistan.
Pakistan skipper won the all-important toss and invited Sri Lanka to bat. Sri Lanka’s opening batsmen faced fierce bowling from Pakistan and Kusal Mendis was bowled out by the 19-year-old star bowler Naseem Shah. Sri Lanka continued to struggle under with ferocious bowling from Haris Rauf who picked up 3 wickets. Sri Lanka was 36 for 3 wickets in the 5th over fell to 58 for 5 wickets by the 9th over. Sensational skipper Shanaka fell for Shadabh Khan for just 2 runs sending shock waves in the Sri Lankan camp. Bhanuka Rajapakse came to the rescue with a timely partnership with Wanindu Hasaranga of 57 runs. Hasaranga scored 36 valuable runs. Bhanuka went out to stand unbeaten with 71 runs off 45 balls including 3 sixers and 6 fours picking up 15 valuable runs in the last over to ensure Sri Lanka reached a competitive score of 170 runs off the 20 overs for the loss of 6 wickets.
Pramod Madushan shocked the Pakistan batsmen with 2 wickets in his first over to have Pakistan reeling at 22 for 2 wickets. Rizwan steadied the Pakistan innings together with Ifthikar (32 from 31 balls) and by the end of 10 overs Pakistan was 68 for 2 wickets. However the required run rate shot up to 10 plus due to tight bowling by the Sri Lankan bowlers. Madushan returned to pick up the wicket of Ifthikar to unsettle the Pakistani chase. He ended up with match winning figures of 4 for 34 runs. In the last 5 overs Pakistan needed 70 runs with 7 wickets in hand. Sri Lanka excelled in both bowling and fielding and picked up quick wickets and forced Pakistan batsmen to make mistakes with the hiking required run rate. Rizwan scored 55 runs off 49 balls however wonder boy Wanindu picked up his vital wicket and the Asia Cup became a distant dream to Pakistan. Wanindu Hasaranga played a vital role with the bowl by picking up 3 wickets for 27 runs off his 4 overs in addition to his 36 runs with the bat depicting he is one of the best all rounders in T20 cricket today. Pakistan needed 50 runs off the last 2 overs with 2 wickets in hand. Pakistan only managed 147 runs off the 20 overs and lost all their wickets in the process falling short by 23 runs. Chamika Karunaratne picked up the last wicket to end up with 2 for 33 runs. Sri Lanka were crowned the Asia Cup Champions 2022, defending the target of 170 runs successfully. (RZ) Image credit : ESPN cricinfo
