Asia Cup Final: Sri Lanka sets target of 171 runs against Pakistan

• Batsman Bhanuka Rajapaksa scores 71 not out for Sri Lanka in Asia Cup 2022 final.
• Sri Lanka batted first and reached 170-6 in 20 overs despite a poor batting performance.
• Haris led Pakistan’s bowling attack with three wickets. Iftikhar Ahmed, Naseem, and Shadab each claimed one wicket.

Middle-order batsman Bhanuka Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka scored a crucial performance of 71 not out in the crucial Asia Cup 2022 final, helping Sri Lanka finish at 170-6 in 20 overs despite a poor start.

When Sri Lanka batted first at Pakistan captain Babar Azam’s invitation, they managed to reach a respectable total of 170-6 in the allowed 20 overs owing to Rajapaksa’s solid 71-ball unbroken innings.

Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka, the hosts’ openers, were both cheaply removed by Pakistani pacers Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf for scores of eight and duck, respectively, at the start of their inning, which saw the team lose two wickets at a meager 23.

In an effort to take on Pakistani bowlers, all-rounder Dhananjaya de Silva struck at a respectable rate for his significant knock of 28 runs off 21 deliveries, packed with four boundaries.

Dasun Shanaka, the skipper of Sri Lanka, had a poor batting performance as Shadab Khan dismissed the right-handed batsman for just two runs, dropping Sri Lanka to 58/5 in the ninth over.

Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka’s star batter, then teamed up with Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva to engineer an incredible comeback for his team in the championship game.

With an outstanding 58-run partnership for the sixth wicket, the two completely changed the scope of the game.

With the help of a caught-behind, Haris struck in the 15th over to give Pakistan a much-needed breakthrough.

Hasaranga was also out. He made a courageous cameo of 36 off 21 deliveries, scoring five boundaries and a six in the process.

Rajapaksa was unfazed by Hasaranga’s exit because he stood his ground and kept the scoreboard moving with the help of Chamika Karunaratne, who scored a run-a-ball 14.

Rajapaksa led Sri Lanka in scoring in the championship match with a brilliant 71 off 45 deliveries that included six boundaries and three sixes.

With three wickets, Haris led Pakistan’s bowling attack. Iftikhar Ahmed, Naseem, and Shadab each claimed one wicket.

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