Pakistan could not chase 171 runs target
Sri Lanka wins by 23 runs
Rajapaksa unbeaten on 71
Sri Lanka has won the 6th Asia Cricket Cup by beating Pakistan in the final played at Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. Four-wicket haul by Pramod Madushan and a three-wicket sweep by Wanundu Hasaranga has clinched the match in Sri Lanka’s favour. Pakistan were all out for 147 runs falling short of the target by 23 runs.
Pakistan won the toss and put Sri Lanka was put to bat. Sri Lankan batters faced initial hiccups but an unbeaten 71 runs in 45 balls by Bhanuka Rajapaksa rescued the islanders. They put up a good fights against the odds and piled up 170 runs. Haris Raus of Pakistan has taken three wickets.
Changing 171, Pakistan lost wickets at regular intervals. The Sri Lankans who started Asia Cup matches not as favourites turned out to be superior players. The bowlers did wonders for Sri Lanka. Only opener Mohammad Rizwan has scored 55 runs. The rest fell easily. While the Pakistan captain Babar Azam made five, Fakhar Zaman was duck out. Iftikar Ahmed made 32 out of 31 balls while the rest of the batters were sleep walking from pitch to pavilion. Even on Friday when Pakistan played against Sri Lanka at the Dubai International Stadium in Super 4 match, Pak team lost. Sri Lanka which appeared as underdog has shown form and aggression right from the first match. It did not lose a match in Asia cup. It has beaten India once and Pakistan twice.
