Sri Lankan skipper, Dasun Shanaka could not help but be proud of the way they have managed to win the Asia Cup despite being underdogs. He had no hesitation when admitting the same by acknowledging his country’s long wait for the trophy. He went on to discuss the upcoming T20 World Cup and Sri Lanka’s chances at the same. The Islanders had a long shot of ending up as the victors of the Asia Cup, with India and Pakistan being the firm favorites for the tournament.
Ahead of the final, Sri Lanka had won 4 consecutive games, yet, somehow, Pakistan was the favorite to win the game albeit that notion was soon to be dismissed. A 23-run win in the final on Sunday in Dubai saw the Lions clinch their sixth Asia Cup and the first under emerging skipper Dasun Shanaka.
Talking about the tournament win, as per the quotes in NDTV, Dasun Shanaka said, “The players have been playing good cricket for two, three years but the winning factor was not there. This will be a real good turnaround in our cricket. This lot (of players) will continue for another five, six years, so that will be a very good sign for us.”
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Asked to bat first, Sri Lanka rode impressive fighting fifty by Bhanuka Rajapaksa (71 not out off 45) and an attacking knock by Wanindu Hasaranga (36 off 21) to post 170/6 against Pakistan in the final of the Asia Cup 2022. Apart from Rajapaksa and Hasaranga, Dhananjaya de Silva (28 off 21) and Chamika Karunaratne (14 not out off 14) also played vital knocks for Sri Lanka, during their stay at the crease.
Talking to the reporters, Dasun Shanaka explained, “They were waiting for it for so long, especially the final. We should dedicate this win to the whole nation.”
The Lankan team will now head Down Under where they begin their World T20 qualifiers campaign against Namibiaon October 16.
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Dasun Shankar concluded saying, “We played the qualifiers last year as well. We have the same set-up for the last three, four years and last two years have been good for us. The momentum is there and winning the Asia Cup really helps going ahead to the World Cup. Qualifiers will really help because we will play in the conditions before the main tournament happens, so it will be good for us.”
