Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by 23 runs in the final of the Asia Cup 2022 (Asia Cup) played at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. Chasing a target of 171 runs, the Pakistani team was bowled out for 147 runs in 20 overs. Star wicketkeeper batsman Mohammad Rizwan scored 55 and Iftikhar Ahmed scored 32 runs. For Sri Lanka, Pramod Madhushan dismissed four players and Vanindu Hasranga dismissed three players.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss and decided to bowl first, which was good initially, but Sri Lanka won the match thanks to Bhanuka Rajapaksa’s unbeaten 71 and Hasranga’s 36 runs. The blue jersey team scored 170 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in 20 overs.
On Pakistan’s side, Haris Rauf dismissed three players and also completed his 50 wickets in T20. Pakistan started the innings with Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. As always, both opening batsmen started the game slowly and in the fourth over, Pramod Madhushan sent Babar Azam to the pavilion for five runs. Because of this, on the next ball, Fakhar Zaman also got bowled.
Iftikhar Ahmed shared a partnership of 71 runs in 54 balls with Rizwan. He was dismissed for 32 runs on 31 balls. Mohammad Rizwan played a slow innings of 55 runs in 49 balls and got out in an attempt to check Hasranga. In the same over, Hasranga increased Pakistan’s problems by sending Asif Ali and Khushdil Shah back to the pavilion.
