Xtra Time Web Desk: What a thriller final it was between Sri Lanka and Pakistan. After losing the toss, Sri Lanka had to bat first. The fall of 5 wickets of 58 runs in early 9 overs made Sri Lankan Team worried. But Bhanuka Rajapaksa’s fabulous knock (71 not out off 45 Balls) under pressure and Wanindu Hasranga’s 36 off 21 balls helped to reach Sri Lanka to 170/6 after 20 overs.
On the other hand, Pakistan was 147 All Out in 20 Overs. The off form of Babar Azam once again continued in the final. In the initial few overs of the chase, Pakistan lost 2 quick wickets of Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman. Mohammad Rizwan’s slower knock (55 off 49 balls with a strike rate of 112.24) with no strong partnership troubled the team to chase 171.
Wanindu Hasaranga was totally the game changer of the match. His magical spin has helped him to get 3 wickets in the 17th over. Pramod Madhusan got 4 wickets in the nights of the Final.
For Sri Lankan players the beginning was not smooth. Still they held their nerve strong and played a wonderful cricket with fewer mistakes in the Final. Sri Lanka becomes the 6th time Asia Cup Champions and it is the 3rd time they have defeated Pakistan in the Asia Cup Final. Even after their bad start against Afghanistan in the beginning, they came back stronger in the tournament. They were the table topper as well without losing a single match in the super 4 stage. Over all, it was a match as well as the tournament to remember for Sri Lanka.