Dubai International Stadium: Proving cricket pundits and critics wrong, the Sri Lankan cricket team defeated Pakistan by 23 runs in a high-profile final in Dubai and lifted their sixth Asia Cup trophy.
It almost seemed like a fairy tale for the colombain team which suffered a shambolic defeat in its tournament opener and made a terrific comeback in the second phase striding on to win four games on the bounce.
Winning the toss the Pakistan side decided to bowl for which SL posted a respectable 170/6 in the stipulated 20 overs. Recovering his team from 58 for 5, Bhanuka Rajapakse and Wanindu Hasaranga first bailed the team out from a tricky situation with their partnership. Rajapakse’s valiant knock of 71* off 45 and Hasaranga’s 36 helped the Lankan Lions post a respectable show and make ends meet.
For Pakistan with captain Babar Azam’s early departure, it side failed to revive. Mohammad Rizwan despite scoring a gritty fifty and holding the guard from one side failed to help his team cross the line.
This victory has proved a breakthrough as the ICC world qualifiers. Wanindu Hasaranga was named the player of the tournament while Bhanuka Rajapaksa was conferred with the player of the match award. Hopes are to reviev the cricket team of the island nation.