Sri Lanka put up a determined display to tame the Pakistan team to win the Asia Cup for a sixth time.
The Dubai International Stadium was all set as the host for the final.
Pakistan won the toss and chose to bowl first.
Pakistan struck early as Naseem Shah bowled a beautiful delivery that passed through the gap between bat and pad and cleaned up Kusal Mendis. An important wicket for Pakistan early on.
Soon Sri Lanka lost another opener in the form of Pathum Nissanka who was dismissed by Haris Rauf. A late timed shot over mid-off saw him caught by Babar Azam. Sri Lanka were 23/2.
Haris Rauf was quick to strike again. He bowled a 151 kph delivery straight onto the stumps to send Danushka Gunathilaka packing. 36/3 for Sri Lanka and they had to do something about it.
But it was only getting worse as Dhananjaya de Silva was caught and bowled while on 28 off 21 balls by Iftikhar Ahmed. Dasun Shanaka, the captain was the next to depart as he was clean bowled by Shabad Khan. Sri Lanka found themselves sinking at 58/5.
But Sri Lanka managed to fight back. And they fought back in style as Bhanuka Rajapaksa took matters into his own hands as he went on to play a splendid knock of 71 off 45 balls hitting 6 fours and 3 sixes. Wanindu Hasaranga was also part of the action as made 36 off 21 balls hitting 5 fours and 1 six.
But Hasaranga was dismissed by Rauf after a nice partnership between him and Rajapaksa. However the fight back saw Sri Lanka finish on a very commendable score of 170/6 in their 20 overs considering the trouble they were in.
Out walked Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam for Pakistan.
Pramod Madushan was playing his second-ever international match for the Lankans. He was bowling the fourth over. He put up a stunning display as he dismissed both Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman in two consecutive deliveries. 22/2 for Pakistan.
Then came a nice partnership between Rizwan and Iftikhar Ahmed as they put on 71 for the 3rd wicket when Ahmed was dismissed by Madhusan who picked up his third for the night.
Then came the collapse for Pakistan as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Hasaranga picked up the wickets of Khushdil Shah and Asif Ali. Mohammad Nawaz and Haris Rauf were dismissed by Chamila Karunaratne. Maheesh Theeksana took the wicket of Shadab Khan as Madhusan took his fourth as he dismissed Naseem Shah.
In the end of their 20 overs, Pakistan were bowled out for 147. Sri Lanka won the game by 23 runs. After a not so impressive start to the Asia Cup this year, they came back with great spirit to take the trophy and become the champions of Asia.
Image credit: Twitter
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