Sri Lanka won the sixth Asia Cup after defeating Pakistan by 23 runs in Dubai on Sunday. The pundits had given Sri Lanka little chance of making it to the Super Four after an embarrassing opening loss against Afghanistan. But Dasun Shanaka’s team then took them to Asia Cup glory with five consecutive victories. Batting masterclass by batsman Bhanuka Rajapakse and all-round talent of Wanindu Hasaranga secured of Sri Lanka 23-run win against Pakistan in the final.
sri lanka wonder
Bhanuka Rajapaksa marked the achievement as a “great victory” for the island nation in the midst of its economic crisis. He said, “As a nation, I think this is a big victory… With all the crises coming back home, these are tough times for the Sri Lankans. We are happy and hope we can see their faces.” But bring some smiles.”
Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka said winning the Asia Cup will help the team prepare for next month’s Twenty20 World Cup. Sri Lanka are set to begin their World Cup campaign with a qualifying match against Namibia on 16 October. The island nation won the T20 World Cup in 2014.
Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra took to Twitter to share his thoughts on winning the Asia Cup for the sixth time in Dubai, Sri Lanka. “I am thrilled with Sri Lanka’s victory this evening. Not because I wanted to lose to Pakistan. But because Sri Lanka’s win reminds us that team sports is not about celebrities and superstars, but yes – about teamwork. about!” They said.
King Kohli is back
Even though India could not qualify for the final, Virat Kohli Scored 276 tournament runs at an average of 92, including 122 not out against Afghanistan, becoming his first century for India in any format since November 2019. It was also his first three-figure score in Twenty20 Internationals. Kohli’s extended batting slowdown had become a major thing, but he quelled the chatter. Kohil was the tournament’s second-highest scorer, ahead only of Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan, whose 55 in the final led him to 281 runs from six matches.
Naseem Shah – A new star emerged
Pakistan’s bowling attack was without injured pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi but another Shah, Kishore Naseem, rose to the occasion. The 19-year-old’s pace saw him take seven wickets in five matches and he was also a match-winner with the bat – his two last-over sixes in a thrilling win over Afghanistan propelled his team to the final. After Pakistan captain Babar Azam had opted to bowl after winning the toss, Shah signed off in typical Asia Cup style in Sunday’s final by taking a wicket in the first over, brilliantly dislodging Kusal Mendis’s off-stump.
Afghanistan threat
Afghanistan captain Mohammad Nabi predicted that they will “make a strong comeback” for the T20 World Cup where his side is looking to upset established cricketing powers. In the opening match, his team bundled out eventual champions Sri Lanka for 105 in the opening match, which Afghanistan won by eight wickets with almost 10 overs to spare. Afghanistan then dodged Bangladesh and dealt a massive blow to Pakistan in the Super Four and eventually went down by one wicket in the final over of a poor struggle. Most of the team learned their cricket in refugee camps in Pakistan and have made great strides since achieving Test status in 2017.
Shakib’s trouble
All-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has returned as captain after succumbing to an ultimatum from the Bangladesh Cricket Board to end a deal with a betting site. But his presence made little difference to Bangladesh’s poor T20 record as they failed to make it to the Super Four after losing group matches to Afghanistan and Sri Lanka. Shakib returned figures of 1–13 with his left-arm spin against Afghanistan and then scored 24 in their defeat to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh’s 15th T20 defeat in their last matches, but insisted that his team had There was a “plan” to improve. (with agency input)
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