Asia Cup 2022 Final, Sri Lanka vs Pakistan: Can the Lions roar again?

Much before the Asia Cup 2022 got underway, all the focus was on how India and Pakistan are likely to meet each other thrice in the continental tournament. Very few expected the likes of Sri Lanka and Afghanistan to pose a challenge and billed India and Pakistan as clear favourites to first play in the group stage, then the Super 4 stage and then again in the title clash.

India beat Pakistan in the tournament opener and then Babar Azam’s unit fought back well to register a convincing win in the Super 4 contest. Not many had stacked chips in favour of the island nation, especially after how they fared in their opening clash against Afghanistan.

They got bundled out for 105. Only three Sri Lankan batters breached the double-figure mark. Their bowlers surrendered as Afghanistan openers posted 83 in just over 6 overs. They eventually lost the match by 8 wickets.

Sri Lanka quickly put the result behind and fought back hard to register wins in their next four contests — group match against Bangladesh and Super 4 encounters vs India, Afghanistan and Pakistan — topped the Super 4 stage and here they are all set to lock horns with Pakistan in the title clash scheduled to take place on Sunday in Dubai.

Sri Lanka seem to end transition period

Since that 2014 T20 World Cup final against India, the Lankan lions haven’t really had a great time at the highest level. There have been players who have shown class and calibre at some point or the other but the collective effort, which was missing, seems to have crawled back into the camp.

Read: Sri Lanka’s road to Asia Cup 2022 final

They again have some brilliant spinners in the line, and boast of a highly effective middle order which, on their day, can outclass any opposition. One player who has caught everyone’s attention is opener Pathum Nissanka. This youngster has all the talent and ability to become one of the finest batters that Sri Lanka has ever produced.

If he continues to play the way he has been, the T20 franchises will be making huge bids to rope him in their sides. The maturity in his approach was on exhibition during the dress rehearsal clash between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Skipper @dasunshanaka1 talks about the great wishes from YOU back home!