Sri Lanka, a country picking up pieces after the death of democracy while facing enormous financial turbulence, found 11 worthy heroes on a cricket pitch as Dasun Shanaka’s unheralded bunch crushed Pakistan by 23 runs to win their sixth Asia Cup title here on Sunday.
It was a victory that was just not about cricket but way beyond that with much deeper historical and political importance.
It was one for posterity as Sri Lanka first raised themselves from the dungeons to reach 170 for 6 from a hopeless 58 for 5 because of Bhanuka Rajapaksa’s 45-ball-71, easily one of the best knocks under pressure in T20s in recent times.
Shanaka, the skipper, lead from the front and in the end, revealed how he knew batting first can change the course of the match. He had one match in his mind.
Also Read: AUS v NZ-Steve Smith Indicates Free Hit After Hitting Neesham for Six, Umpire Obliges | WATCH
“I want to thank the crowd; they have been supporting us massively. Hopefully we made them proud today. In IPL 2021, Chennai won the match batting first and that is what was in my mind. These youngsters know the conditions really well. Wanindu made a huge impact after losing five wickets. Chamika and DDS batted really well too. The last ball six was the turning point,” Shanaka said after the match.
ASIA CUP 2022: FULL COVERAGE | SCHEDULE | RESULTS
“170 was mentally the difference, as 160 always feels chasable. As a youngster, we knew Madushanka would deliver, and as a captain we had to back him. It can happen to any team in the world. [On the first game against Afghanistan] It happened for a good reason. We had serious discussions after that game.”
“Each and every individual did well for us and that is how we became champions. The fielding improved a lot in the finals. We had some mistakes in the league stages. We were 100% today, credit to the players and the coaching staff. I want to thank the Sri Lankan cricket board and the selectors as well.”
Get the latest Cricket News, Schedule and Cricket Live Scores here