Asia Cup 2022: Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 23 runs in final to take the title

Dubai 11th of September : Sri Lanka produced an impressive all-round performance to defeat Pakistan by 23 runs in the final to claim the Asia Cup 2022 title at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, here on Sunday.

Following their loss in their opening match against Afghanistan they defeated Bangladesh, Afghanistan, India, Pakistan and then again Pakistan to win the 2022 Asia Cup.A stunning fighting fifty by Bhanuka Rajapaksa (71 not out from 45) and an attacking knock from Wanindu Hasaranga (36 off 21) led Sri Lanka to 170/6 in 20 overs.In addition to Rajapaksa and Hasaranga, Dhananjaya de Silva (28 off 21) and Chamika Karunaratne (14 not out of 14) also made crucial knocks for Sri Lanka, during their time in the crease.

For Pakistan, Haris Rauf (3/29) was the most popular of the bowlers with three wickets, while Iftikhar Ahmed (1/21), Shadab Khan (1/28) and Naseem Shah (1/40) were the other wicket-takers.In pursuit of a difficult number, Mohammad Rizwan hit a decent half-century (55 off 49) and also with Iftikhar Ahmed (32 off 31) to keep Pakistan alive in the game, before being bowled out.But there were no contributions from the others batters, because Pakistan were bowled out for just 147 in 20 overs, and then lost by 23 runs.Pramod Madushan (4/34) and Wanindu Hasaranga (3/27) were the top wicket takers in Sri Lanka while Chamika Karunaratne (2/33) and Maheesh Theekshana (1/25) also contributed in with an important wicket.

Brief scores: Sri Lanka 170/6 in 20 overs (Bhanuka Rajapaksa 71 not out, Wanindu Hasaranga 36; Haris Rauf 3/29) beat Pakistan (Mohammad Rizwan 55, Iftikhar Ahmed 32; Pramod Madushan 4/34, Wanindu Hasaranga 3/27) by 23 overs avn/bs.