Captain Dasun Shanaka on Sunday described the Asia Cup win as a “real change” for Sri Lankan cricket ahead of the T20 World Cup and dedicated the victory to the troubled country.
Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 23 runs in the final, with Bhanuka Rajapakse 71 not out and Wanindu Hasaranga acting with bat and ball in Dubai.
The win was nothing less than the end of a story for the team that started the tournament ahead of the World Cup starting next month in Australia with a humiliating defeat against Afghanistan.
But Shanaka’s men came back with five consecutive victories, overtaking tournament favorites India in the Super Four competition and then twice easily past Pakistan.
“The players have been playing good cricket for two, three years but there was no reason to win,” Shanaka said after Sri Lanka’s sixth Asia Cup title.
“It will be a real nice change in our cricket. This lot (of players) will continue for the next five, six years, so it will be a very good sign for us.”
The island nation has faced months of economic crisis and political unrest, with blackouts, fuel shortages and protests becoming a part of their lives.
Sri Lankan fans at the Dubai International Stadium celebrated the victory with drums and drums as the team took the victory lap with the trophy.
“They’ve been waiting for this for so long, especially the final,” Shanaka told reporters. “We should dedicate this victory to the entire nation.”
The Asian champions, however, will have to go through the qualifying stage to get a chance to take on the heavyweights in the main draw of the T20 World Cup, starting October 22.
But Shanaka believes the qualifiers will help them settle down with Australia and the momentum is already with them.
“We played qualifiers last year as well. We have had the same set-up for the last three, four years and the last two years have been good for us,” Shanaka said.
“There is momentum and winning the Asia Cup really helps us move forward from the World Cup. The qualifiers will really help because we will be playing in conditions before the main tournament happens, so it will be good for us.”
Coach Chris Silverwood, appointed in April to lead Sri Lanka, which oversaw England’s Ashes humiliation in Australia, has been credited with the team’s renewed confidence.
The Englishman was seen chatting with Rajapaksa and Hasaranga, who scored 36 and then scored 3-27 with his leg-spin, during a crucial 58-run stand between the two batsmen, which saw Sri Lanka 58-5. up to 170. -6.
“He has always been a good motivator for us and always wanted us to play aggressive cricket,” Rajapaksa said.
“We have been given the freedom to play the way we want. And that really helps us come together as a team and as a young unit and win games like this.”
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