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Sri Lanka (170/6) beat Pakistan (147 all out) by 23 runs to win the 2022 Asia Cup
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LegendAli
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1) Win the toss and choose to chase in UAE.
2) Have the opposition at 58-5.
3) Start off your own innings at 10-0 without a single ball being bowled.
Yet you still go on to lose the game by 20+ runs.
Didnt want to say this but damn not just India but the entire world is laughing right now, what a joke.
2) Have the opposition at 58-5.
3) Start off your own innings at 10-0 without a single ball being bowled.
Yet you still go on to lose the game by 20+ runs.
Didnt want to say this but damn not just India but the entire world is laughing right now, what a joke.
Technics 1210
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Lost by 23 runs.
We scored 37/2 in PP, out of which 10 were extras.
We just lack the talent to capitalise the PP phase.
We scored 37/2 in PP, out of which 10 were extras.
We just lack the talent to capitalise the PP phase.
Ab Fan
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Sanjay Manjarekar - "Congratulations Sri Lanka, I am very proud of you." 
Major
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Our batting was exposed in the afg game. But than again, everyone was high about naseem hitting soxes that no one really cared...
We are a bad team, simple as that
We are a bad team, simple as that
jnaveen1980
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Pakistan batting was bad right through the tournament except in patches.
Maliq_Mudasir
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Sanjay Manjarekar - "Congratulations Sri Lanka, I am very proud of you."
"Beghani Shadi mai Abdullah diwana".
jnaveen1980
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Sanjay Manjarekar - "Congratulations Sri Lanka, I am very proud of you."
Manjrekar is an embarrassment. When you add Russell, Wasim, Waqar, Gambhir, Deepdas this was a nightmare
Major
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You know whats funny [MENTION=147179]Ahmed216[/MENTION] was attacking posters when pakistan accidentally won against afg.
Now here he is saying it is babar who deserves to be humilated.
Apnay uper tou baat layne nahi na fans nay...
jnaveen1980
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This is what fearless cricket does. SL was totally buried. They never stopped attacking. They got away with some streaky fours. Teams that played defensive cricket lost out.
Major
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You turned out to be correct that babar was poor as captain yet again. I thought he was good but he just threw away the game. He could had used more spin.
But batting wise, we need the top two to score or else the rest do nothing. Batting wise we are mediocre
I never said pak gonna win this game. In fact go to the pre match discussion we r going to lose this game because of Babar captaincy.
I should have said babar deserves it the most alongwith deluded fans.
I did not attack any1 I even said sorry to u
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You saying like Pakistan is suddenly gonna change team when the World Cup is less than a month away. They wont and we are just awaiting another disaster
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Mainul
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Pakistan can't even win a single match with these 3 in Australia.
Asif321
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Ramiz raja to be blamed for khushdil and asif . He kept on saying we need these two
daytrader
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Mohammad Rizwan: (Toss) I think if any team thinks about toss, then they are not a champion team. Sri Lanka were that today, they didn't think of toss. And then they hurt us for our mistakes. They deserved to be champions. (SL 67/5 after ten overs, after that what happened?) We made mistakes. We are human. We also played well through the tournament, but we lost the momentum in the first innings. In T20 cricket, whichever team has better momentum at the change of innings has the advantage."
Mainul
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Both the Pakistan Vs Srilanka matches were one sided.
Anis Shivani
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1. Pakistan's batting failed throughout the tournament.
2. Naseem Shah continues to impress.
3. Haris Rauf was overall very good and will do well in Australia.
4. Dahani should have been utilized more.
5, Hasnain did okay overall.
5. Fakhar is shot.
6. The Rizwan/Babar combo can only work if both have a great day and if the target is 150 or less.
7. Shadab and Nawaz are formidable in the middle overs and a huge upgrade on Imad.
8. Wasted Haider Ali.
9. Need a fast-bowling all rounder.
10. Babar remains for the most part an unimaginative tactician, although he creates good team spirit.
2. Naseem Shah continues to impress.
3. Haris Rauf was overall very good and will do well in Australia.
4. Dahani should have been utilized more.
5, Hasnain did okay overall.
5. Fakhar is shot.
6. The Rizwan/Babar combo can only work if both have a great day and if the target is 150 or less.
7. Shadab and Nawaz are formidable in the middle overs and a huge upgrade on Imad.
8. Wasted Haider Ali.
9. Need a fast-bowling all rounder.
10. Babar remains for the most part an unimaginative tactician, although he creates good team spirit.
jnaveen1980
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Rizwan highest run getter in Asia cup. 281 runs at a strike rate of 117. Second highest run getter for Pakistan is 105 runs @100.96, Third highest is Faker 96 @103. It is a miracle they even made it to final with this stat. That underlines how much Pakistan bowlers compensated for this. Those with higher strike didn't last long.
Usman Chadda
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Well you cant say we didnt expect it. Babar and Fakhar going out of form at the wrong time led to this, as we just didnt have anyone at 4,5 and 6. You can only keep Asif Ali out of these three, Iftikhar and Khushdil contribute nothing to the team.
yadunoe
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If I see Ifti Khushdil or Fakhar in the team I'm not watching world cup legit Fakhar maybe scores for 3 or 4 matches a whole year sharjeel Azam Khan Mohammed Haris Haris Sohail Shan Masood Haider Ali are much better Asif Can Stay but he should come earlier.
jnaveen1980
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Players with weakness against certain type of bowling are going to be hugely inconsistent. Teams will reserve a spinner over mainly for some of these guys. There is a reason why Shreyas Iyer won't be in the picture for T20 despite him being very consistent with a 140 plus career strike rate. Because he can be tied down by short ball. You need players to compensate weakness of others and complement each other down the order. If both are weak against spin or both weak against pace then that will be a problem. This is something we can see even in T20 leagues. Pakistan can try Fakhar down the order.
yadunoe
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I think also babar needs to come at 3 and Rizwan should be captain and Open with Sharjeel or Azam Khan
AZulfi
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Reality check for Pakistan ahead of the World Cup
Batting not up to the mark
The more professional and disciplined team won the cup. Congrats to Sri Lanka. They are deserving winners of Asia Cup.
170 was just too many in a KO game given our inconsistent batting
Babar is a defensive captain. At 58/5 he should have gone for the kill instead of saving his pacers for the final overs.
Batting not up to the mark
The more professional and disciplined team won the cup. Congrats to Sri Lanka. They are deserving winners of Asia Cup.
170 was just too many in a KO game given our inconsistent batting
Babar is a defensive captain. At 58/5 he should have gone for the kill instead of saving his pacers for the final overs.
Nikhil_cric
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That's misleading somewhat. Their lower order compensated for that with some extremely clutch hitting . Khushdil against Hong Kong , Nawaz against India etc.
Anyway this is Pakistan's template for quite sometime now. Consolidate up top and go hard later. They've found some success and stuck with it.
It was nothing new. It would have been difficult to change that in a tournament
AZulfi
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Rizwan averaged 56.20 (281 runs) in this cup
The next best is Iftikhar’s 26.25 (105 runs)
This just sums up our pathetic batting.
Sri Lanka is a perfect example of the phrase ‘The whole is greater than the sum of its parts’
The next best is Iftikhar’s 26.25 (105 runs)
This just sums up our pathetic batting.
Sri Lanka is a perfect example of the phrase ‘The whole is greater than the sum of its parts’
jattafridi
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It’s ok now plan for World Cup 2022 
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Abrilliant performance from Sri Lanka helped them beat Pakistan by 23 runs to win the 2022 edition of the Asia Cup.
Asia Cup 2022 Final, Scorecard
The perfect start for Pakistan
Winning the toss, Pakistan came out all guns blazing in the final in Dubai. Naseem Shah got the ball rolling by bowling a beauty to dismiss Kusal Mendis for a duck. Pathum Nissanka also could not carry on his brilliant run, with Haris Rauf getting the better of him on 8. Rauf would then bowl a sizzler to send Danushka Gunathilaka packing for 1.
If Sri Lanka believed they would get a reprieve, the spinners would then chip in with a couple of wickets for Pakistan. Iftikhar Ahmed got the wicket of Dhananjaya de Silva for 28, who up to that point was looking in good nick. Skipper Dasun Shanaka also couldn't contribute much, with Shadab Khan bowling him for 2.
At the halfway mark, Pakistan were well and truly on top.
A magnificent performance from Haris Rauf ��#AsiaCup2022 | Scorecard: https://t.co/xA1vz7cSW0 pic.twitter.com/wZxTHBNlgF
— ICC (@ICC) September 11, 2022
Rajapaksa, Hasaranga mount Sri Lanka's fightback
Sri Lanka would then launch a brilliant counter of their own, with Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Wanindu Hasaranga leading the charge. The pair put on a partnership of 58 runs, playing some incredible shots against a high-quality bowling attack. Their stand would come off only 36 deliveries, getting Sri Lanka well and truly back in the game.
Hasaranga would be dismissed by Rauf, who had his third scalp for 36, but it was a job done well. Rajapaksa would then unleash carnage, bringing up his half-century while upping the ante. Chamika Karunaratne gave him brilliant support from the other end, rotating the strike as the pair put up a stand of 54*. Rajapaksa would have some luck, being dropped a couple of times but he made full use of it.
Rajapaksa would end up with a knock of 71* off 45 deliveries, as Sri Lanka recovered from 58/5 to post a fighting total of 170/6 on the board.
A see-saw battle
It was not the perfect start for Sri Lanka as Dilshan Madhushanka bowled an 11-ball over, conceding 12. But Dasun Shanaka's side kept their cool, tightening up the screws after that. The pressure yielded brilliant results as Pramod Madushan would get two wickets in two deliveries. Babar Azam would be his first scalp for 5 followed by Fakhar Zaman for a first-ball duck.
Mohammad Rizwan and Iftikhar Ahmed would then pick up the mantle of rebuilding the Pakistan innings, as the match was on a knife's edge at the halfway mark. With Pakistan's score at 68/2, it was anyone's contest to win.
Brilliant Sri Lanka clinch the title
Just when it was time for Pakistan to put the foot down on the accelerator, Sri Lanka bowled and fielded with excellence. They dried up the runs, increasing the pressure while upping the required run rate. This paid off with Iftikhar first perishing for 32, with Madushan getting his third scalp. Mohammad Nawaz too couldn't deliver the big hits, falling for 6 against Karunaratne.
It was now up to Rizwan, who was the set batter to guide Pakistan home, as they needed 69 off 28 deliveries. After bringing up his half-century, Rizwan would be outfoxed by Hasaranga as Sri Lanka etched closer to a victory with the required run rate almost touching the 16-run mark. Hasaranga then dismissed Asif Ali for a first-ball duck and followed it up with Khushdil Shah for 2.
Pakistan would eventually run out of wickets, with Karunaratne getting the final scalp of Haris Rauf, as Sri Lanka won by 23 runs to win the Asia Cup 2022.
https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2788151
Asia Cup 2022 Final, Scorecard
The perfect start for Pakistan
Winning the toss, Pakistan came out all guns blazing in the final in Dubai. Naseem Shah got the ball rolling by bowling a beauty to dismiss Kusal Mendis for a duck. Pathum Nissanka also could not carry on his brilliant run, with Haris Rauf getting the better of him on 8. Rauf would then bowl a sizzler to send Danushka Gunathilaka packing for 1.
If Sri Lanka believed they would get a reprieve, the spinners would then chip in with a couple of wickets for Pakistan. Iftikhar Ahmed got the wicket of Dhananjaya de Silva for 28, who up to that point was looking in good nick. Skipper Dasun Shanaka also couldn't contribute much, with Shadab Khan bowling him for 2.
At the halfway mark, Pakistan were well and truly on top.
A magnificent performance from Haris Rauf ��#AsiaCup2022 | Scorecard: https://t.co/xA1vz7cSW0 pic.twitter.com/wZxTHBNlgF
— ICC (@ICC) September 11, 2022
Rajapaksa, Hasaranga mount Sri Lanka's fightback
Sri Lanka would then launch a brilliant counter of their own, with Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Wanindu Hasaranga leading the charge. The pair put on a partnership of 58 runs, playing some incredible shots against a high-quality bowling attack. Their stand would come off only 36 deliveries, getting Sri Lanka well and truly back in the game.
Hasaranga would be dismissed by Rauf, who had his third scalp for 36, but it was a job done well. Rajapaksa would then unleash carnage, bringing up his half-century while upping the ante. Chamika Karunaratne gave him brilliant support from the other end, rotating the strike as the pair put up a stand of 54*. Rajapaksa would have some luck, being dropped a couple of times but he made full use of it.
Rajapaksa would end up with a knock of 71* off 45 deliveries, as Sri Lanka recovered from 58/5 to post a fighting total of 170/6 on the board.
A see-saw battle
It was not the perfect start for Sri Lanka as Dilshan Madhushanka bowled an 11-ball over, conceding 12. But Dasun Shanaka's side kept their cool, tightening up the screws after that. The pressure yielded brilliant results as Pramod Madushan would get two wickets in two deliveries. Babar Azam would be his first scalp for 5 followed by Fakhar Zaman for a first-ball duck.
Mohammad Rizwan and Iftikhar Ahmed would then pick up the mantle of rebuilding the Pakistan innings, as the match was on a knife's edge at the halfway mark. With Pakistan's score at 68/2, it was anyone's contest to win.
Brilliant Sri Lanka clinch the title
Just when it was time for Pakistan to put the foot down on the accelerator, Sri Lanka bowled and fielded with excellence. They dried up the runs, increasing the pressure while upping the required run rate. This paid off with Iftikhar first perishing for 32, with Madushan getting his third scalp. Mohammad Nawaz too couldn't deliver the big hits, falling for 6 against Karunaratne.
It was now up to Rizwan, who was the set batter to guide Pakistan home, as they needed 69 off 28 deliveries. After bringing up his half-century, Rizwan would be outfoxed by Hasaranga as Sri Lanka etched closer to a victory with the required run rate almost touching the 16-run mark. Hasaranga then dismissed Asif Ali for a first-ball duck and followed it up with Khushdil Shah for 2.
Pakistan would eventually run out of wickets, with Karunaratne getting the final scalp of Haris Rauf, as Sri Lanka won by 23 runs to win the Asia Cup 2022.
https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2788151
What a pathetic performance from a side with no back bone. Had them 50 odd for five then instead of finishing them off we became all defensive thanks to Babar's awful captaincy. The bowling did it's job which as always was let down by the fielding. If Shadab takes that catch then it saves us about 20 runs.
Fakhar as always failed this time bowled first ball. His style in T20'S suits that off an opening batsman where as Babar is a natural number three then why do we have them playing in opposite positions?. Surely our middle order has to be among the worst in the world with Asif, Nawaz and Khushdil doing nothing at all to help the side. It baffles me why Haider Ali was not given a chance in the tournament seeing the aforementioned problems.
Tuk, tuk, tuk, tuk ,tuk, tuk is all our middle order batsmen do every ball as the run rate continues to increase. It fails me as to why our batsmen are so defensive never going for their shots like other sides do. Look at how the Sri Lankan boys were going for it despite losing early wickets where as we didn't even try from the first over. If this side goes to Australia it has absolutely no chance of having any impact in the WC. With a few incredibly close wins we were lucky to make it to the final.
Congrats to Sri Lanka who are a very likable team as too are their fans. They were the best side in the tournament full worthy of being crowned the champs. I am sure Sri Lankan fans will enjoy their win. If we lose to anyone then let it be the likable Sri Lankan's.
Fakhar as always failed this time bowled first ball. His style in T20'S suits that off an opening batsman where as Babar is a natural number three then why do we have them playing in opposite positions?. Surely our middle order has to be among the worst in the world with Asif, Nawaz and Khushdil doing nothing at all to help the side. It baffles me why Haider Ali was not given a chance in the tournament seeing the aforementioned problems.
Tuk, tuk, tuk, tuk ,tuk, tuk is all our middle order batsmen do every ball as the run rate continues to increase. It fails me as to why our batsmen are so defensive never going for their shots like other sides do. Look at how the Sri Lankan boys were going for it despite losing early wickets where as we didn't even try from the first over. If this side goes to Australia it has absolutely no chance of having any impact in the WC. With a few incredibly close wins we were lucky to make it to the final.
Congrats to Sri Lanka who are a very likable team as too are their fans. They were the best side in the tournament full worthy of being crowned the champs. I am sure Sri Lankan fans will enjoy their win. If we lose to anyone then let it be the likable Sri Lankan's.
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ezhil
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This should be a gut wrenching loss for pak fans.... definitely painful than to without qualifing for finals...so near yet so far....
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Pakistan ���� head coach, Saqlain Mushtaq is impressed with <a href="https://twitter.com/BhanukaRajapak3?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BhanukaRajapak3</a>’s performance in the DP World <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AsiaCup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AsiaCup</a> 2022 final. He talks about the unpredictable nature of T20Is, and revisiting Pakistan’s strategy ���� with a 360 approach.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SLvPAK?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SLvPAK</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ACC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ACC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GetReadyForEpic?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GetReadyForEpic</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AsiaCup2022?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AsiaCup2022</a> <a href="https://t.co/zd4da2a57Z">pic.twitter.com/zd4da2a57Z</a></p>— AsianCricketCouncil (@ACCMedia1) <a href="https://twitter.com/ACCMedia1/status/1569100695034535936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 11, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sri Lankan ���� skipper <a href="https://twitter.com/dasunshanaka1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dasunshanaka1</a> and finals player of the match, <a href="https://twitter.com/BhanukaRajapak3?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BhanukaRajapak3</a> grab the mic to talk about their performance ��, the coaching that helped them succeed ��️, and maintaining their form ��<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SLvPAK?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SLvPAK</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ACC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ACC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AsiaCup2022?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AsiaCup2022</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GetReadyForEpic?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GetReadyForEpic</a> <a href="https://t.co/iixJpSynwZ">pic.twitter.com/iixJpSynwZ</a></p>— AsianCricketCouncil (@ACCMedia1) <a href="https://twitter.com/ACCMedia1/status/1569100952296370180?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 11, 2022</a></blockquote>
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ChennaiFan
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Good dominating performance by Sri Lanka at the end. After the first game, they played good cricket. Congratulations to them.
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With the recent conclusion of the 15th edition of the Asia Cup, we take a look at the players who impressed and the repercussions of the tournament on the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup.
It was a fairytale ending for Sri Lanka at the 2022 Asia Cup, who were crowned champions for the sixth time in the tournament's history.
The timing of the triumph couldn't have come at a better time for Sri Lanka – not just the team heading into the ICC Men's T20 World Cup but also the nation and the fans who have been going through a tough time back home.
Their tournament got off to the worst possible start where they were bowled out for 105 against Afghanistan and saw the score chased down in 10.1 overs. The Islanders were almost knocked out of the tournament in the group stage before they snatched victories from the jaws of defeat against Bangladesh.
From there on, they were an unstoppable force and more importantly, a solid well-gelled unit. They beat India and Afghanistan in the Super Four stage before defeating Pakistan two games in a row, including the final.
In this article, we take a look at the top players, the impact the Asia Cup could have on the ICC Men's T20 World Cup and more.
Highest run-scorer: Mohammad Rizwan (281 runs in six matches)
It was a memorable Asia Cup for Mohammad Rizwan, who during the course of the tournament became the No.1 ranked ICC Men's T20I batter.
The wicket-keeper batter started the tournament with a well-made 43 against India and followed it up with two-match winning fifties. Chasing 194 against Hong Kong for a spot in the Super Four, he anchored the innings with an unbeaten 78 off 57. Rizwan was once again Pakistan's highest scorer in the Super Four clash against India, where he played a match-winning 71 off 51 in a thriller.
The new No.1 batter on the MRF Tyres ICC Men's T20I Player RankingsThe new No.1 batter on the MRF Tyres ICC Men's T20I Player Rankings
After a couple of below-par outings with the bat, Rizwan scored 55 off 49 balls in the final against Sri Lanka but was far from his fluent best. The six with which he brought up his fifty took him past Virat Kohli's tally of 276 runs in the tournament but the 30-year-old couldn't take his side home in the final.
Highest wicket-taker: Bhuvneshwar Kumar (11 wickets in five matches)
With the T20 World Cup approaching, India couldn't have asked for a better time for Bhuvneshwar Kumar to hit his strides.
The right-arm pacer kicked off his tournament with brilliant figures of 4/26 in the group stage clash against Pakistan, which included the scalps of Babar Azam and the dangerous Asif Ali.
He was at his economical best against Hong Kong, giving away just 15 runs in three overs while picking up a wicket. He proved to be expensive in the Super Four game against Pakistan and went wicketless in the clash against Sri Lanka.
In India's final match of the tournament, the 32-year-old caused mayhem with his swing. Bhuvneshwar secured his maiden T20I five-wicket haul, with all the wickets coming during the Powerplay. He finished the game with magical figures of 4-1-4-5. Despite playing a game less than Pakistan and Sri Lanka, he finished the tournament as the highest wicket-taker.
Standout performer: Wanindu Hasaranga (Nine wickets, 66 runs in six matches)
Wanindu Hasaranga had an indifferent start to the tournament but showed what a champion player he is by finishing on a high. He eventually ended as the second-highest wicket-taker and scored valuable runs when it mattered most.
The leg-spinner failed to make an impact in Afghanistan's whirlwind chase of 106 and proved to be expensive in the game against Bangladesh, though he did pick up two wickets. He went wicketless in the first two games of the Super Four phase but turned the game for Sri Lanka at the pointy end of the tournament.
In the final Super Four clash against Pakistan, he broke the back of the batting order with the scalps of Babar, Iftikhar Ahmed and Asif Ali as they folded for 121. He played a three-ball cameo for 10* as Sri Lanka convincingly beat Pakistan with three overs to spare.
In the final against Pakistan, Hasaranga came out to bat in the ninth over when Sri Lanka were staring down the barrel at 58/5. He set the tone with a four of the first ball and thus turned the fortunes for Sri Lanka.
Despite being five down, Hasaranga did not back down and kept hitting the boundaries. He smashed Mohammad Hasnain for a six and four in the 13th over. He got out after smacking Haris Rauf for consecutive boundaries but his 21-ball 36 shifted the momentum in Sri Lanka's favour. His innings helped Bhanuka Rajapaksa preserve his wicket for the death overs, which eventually made all the difference as the Lions went on to post a target of 171.
With the ball, he went wicketless in his first three overs. However, he turned the game on its head when he was tasked to bowl the 17th over by snaring Mohammad Rizwan, Asif Ali and Khushdil Shah while giving away just two runs. Pakistan never managed to recover from there on and Sri Lanka went on to clinch the game by 23 runs.
What we learned ahead of the T20 World Cup
Asia Cup 2022 came at the perfect time for the Asian teams, with five of six participating nations taking part in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in Australia next month. Ironically, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan have sealed their spot in the Super 12 while Asia Cup Champions Sri Lanka will have to go through the First Round before joining the rest of the teams in the next stage.
Asia Cup gave all the teams the experience and pressure that comes with playing a multi-team tournament while also helping them figure out the possible missing pieces in the jigsaw.
Champions Sri Lanka now have momentum on their side and if they weren't already, will now be firm favourites in Group A of Round 1 against Namibia, Netherlands and UAE. While the usual suspects performed brilliantly, the rise of Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Pramod Madushan as possible game-changers could see them going deep in the T20 World Cup.
Runners-up Pakistan have some pondering to do after a disappointing start and end to the tournament. Naseem Shah was the find of the tournament and should be on the plane to Australia while the possible return of Shaheen Afridi should strengthen their bowling further.
However, there are several question marks over their batting, starting with the poor form of Babar Azam. The middle-order too has not lived up to its billing and could see some shuffling for T20 World Cup.
The biggest positive for India in the Asia Cup was Virat Kohli's return to form. He finished the tournament as the second-highest run-getter with 276 runs in five matches at a strike rate of 147.59. He ended his century drought with his ton against Afghanistan and seems to found his touch once again.
However, India's early exit from the tournament might force them to reconsider a few aspects, including a possible change in the opening position and who dons the gloves behind the wicket. The injury to Ravindra Jadeja will force the management to find an adequate replacement while also maintaining the balance of the team.
Afghanistan had a topsy-turvy campaign where they showed flashes of brilliance but were not as consistent as they would have liked. The rise of Rahmanullah Gurbaz in time for the World Cup addresses their top order but it is the middle order that needs to pull their socks up. Apart from Najibullah Zadran, the middle-order has failed to go big with the bat.
On the other side, while Afghanistan have no dearth of world-class spinners, they will be hoping their fast bowlers can come to the party. The bowling has particularly struggled in the death overs and have been guilty of leaking too many runs in the end.
Bangladesh had a tournament to forget as they crashed out of the group stages without a win. In the aftermath of the Asia Cup, veteran Mushfiqur Rahim decided to retire from T20Is, leaving Shakib Al Hasan and Co. with little time to find a replacement heading into the World Cup.
The batting form of Mosaddek Hossain was the only bright spot in the tournament and they will be hoping he can carry his form to Australia.
Best quotes
Sri Lanka batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa: "Looking forward, we want to keep up this momentum ahead of the World Cup. With the crisis happening back home, this is a tough time for all the Sri Lankans, but hope we brought some smiles on the faces of our people. This is to the whole nation; they were waiting for this for so long."
Pakistan coach Saqlain Mushtaq: "The way we played, we reached semi-finals of the T20 World Cup last year, we got to the final of an Asia Cup here. Evidence suggests you're doing something right to get here."
India batter Virat Kohli: "I feel very blessed, very grateful right now. Last two and a half years has taught me a lot. I’m going to turn 34 in November, so celebrations are all from the past."
https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2788816
It was a fairytale ending for Sri Lanka at the 2022 Asia Cup, who were crowned champions for the sixth time in the tournament's history.
The timing of the triumph couldn't have come at a better time for Sri Lanka – not just the team heading into the ICC Men's T20 World Cup but also the nation and the fans who have been going through a tough time back home.
Their tournament got off to the worst possible start where they were bowled out for 105 against Afghanistan and saw the score chased down in 10.1 overs. The Islanders were almost knocked out of the tournament in the group stage before they snatched victories from the jaws of defeat against Bangladesh.
From there on, they were an unstoppable force and more importantly, a solid well-gelled unit. They beat India and Afghanistan in the Super Four stage before defeating Pakistan two games in a row, including the final.
In this article, we take a look at the top players, the impact the Asia Cup could have on the ICC Men's T20 World Cup and more.
Highest run-scorer: Mohammad Rizwan (281 runs in six matches)
It was a memorable Asia Cup for Mohammad Rizwan, who during the course of the tournament became the No.1 ranked ICC Men's T20I batter.
The wicket-keeper batter started the tournament with a well-made 43 against India and followed it up with two-match winning fifties. Chasing 194 against Hong Kong for a spot in the Super Four, he anchored the innings with an unbeaten 78 off 57. Rizwan was once again Pakistan's highest scorer in the Super Four clash against India, where he played a match-winning 71 off 51 in a thriller.
The new No.1 batter on the MRF Tyres ICC Men's T20I Player RankingsThe new No.1 batter on the MRF Tyres ICC Men's T20I Player Rankings
After a couple of below-par outings with the bat, Rizwan scored 55 off 49 balls in the final against Sri Lanka but was far from his fluent best. The six with which he brought up his fifty took him past Virat Kohli's tally of 276 runs in the tournament but the 30-year-old couldn't take his side home in the final.
Highest wicket-taker: Bhuvneshwar Kumar (11 wickets in five matches)
With the T20 World Cup approaching, India couldn't have asked for a better time for Bhuvneshwar Kumar to hit his strides.
The right-arm pacer kicked off his tournament with brilliant figures of 4/26 in the group stage clash against Pakistan, which included the scalps of Babar Azam and the dangerous Asif Ali.
He was at his economical best against Hong Kong, giving away just 15 runs in three overs while picking up a wicket. He proved to be expensive in the Super Four game against Pakistan and went wicketless in the clash against Sri Lanka.
In India's final match of the tournament, the 32-year-old caused mayhem with his swing. Bhuvneshwar secured his maiden T20I five-wicket haul, with all the wickets coming during the Powerplay. He finished the game with magical figures of 4-1-4-5. Despite playing a game less than Pakistan and Sri Lanka, he finished the tournament as the highest wicket-taker.
Standout performer: Wanindu Hasaranga (Nine wickets, 66 runs in six matches)
Wanindu Hasaranga had an indifferent start to the tournament but showed what a champion player he is by finishing on a high. He eventually ended as the second-highest wicket-taker and scored valuable runs when it mattered most.
The leg-spinner failed to make an impact in Afghanistan's whirlwind chase of 106 and proved to be expensive in the game against Bangladesh, though he did pick up two wickets. He went wicketless in the first two games of the Super Four phase but turned the game for Sri Lanka at the pointy end of the tournament.
In the final Super Four clash against Pakistan, he broke the back of the batting order with the scalps of Babar, Iftikhar Ahmed and Asif Ali as they folded for 121. He played a three-ball cameo for 10* as Sri Lanka convincingly beat Pakistan with three overs to spare.
In the final against Pakistan, Hasaranga came out to bat in the ninth over when Sri Lanka were staring down the barrel at 58/5. He set the tone with a four of the first ball and thus turned the fortunes for Sri Lanka.
Despite being five down, Hasaranga did not back down and kept hitting the boundaries. He smashed Mohammad Hasnain for a six and four in the 13th over. He got out after smacking Haris Rauf for consecutive boundaries but his 21-ball 36 shifted the momentum in Sri Lanka's favour. His innings helped Bhanuka Rajapaksa preserve his wicket for the death overs, which eventually made all the difference as the Lions went on to post a target of 171.
With the ball, he went wicketless in his first three overs. However, he turned the game on its head when he was tasked to bowl the 17th over by snaring Mohammad Rizwan, Asif Ali and Khushdil Shah while giving away just two runs. Pakistan never managed to recover from there on and Sri Lanka went on to clinch the game by 23 runs.
What we learned ahead of the T20 World Cup
Asia Cup 2022 came at the perfect time for the Asian teams, with five of six participating nations taking part in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in Australia next month. Ironically, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan have sealed their spot in the Super 12 while Asia Cup Champions Sri Lanka will have to go through the First Round before joining the rest of the teams in the next stage.
Asia Cup gave all the teams the experience and pressure that comes with playing a multi-team tournament while also helping them figure out the possible missing pieces in the jigsaw.
Champions Sri Lanka now have momentum on their side and if they weren't already, will now be firm favourites in Group A of Round 1 against Namibia, Netherlands and UAE. While the usual suspects performed brilliantly, the rise of Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Pramod Madushan as possible game-changers could see them going deep in the T20 World Cup.
Runners-up Pakistan have some pondering to do after a disappointing start and end to the tournament. Naseem Shah was the find of the tournament and should be on the plane to Australia while the possible return of Shaheen Afridi should strengthen their bowling further.
However, there are several question marks over their batting, starting with the poor form of Babar Azam. The middle-order too has not lived up to its billing and could see some shuffling for T20 World Cup.
The biggest positive for India in the Asia Cup was Virat Kohli's return to form. He finished the tournament as the second-highest run-getter with 276 runs in five matches at a strike rate of 147.59. He ended his century drought with his ton against Afghanistan and seems to found his touch once again.
However, India's early exit from the tournament might force them to reconsider a few aspects, including a possible change in the opening position and who dons the gloves behind the wicket. The injury to Ravindra Jadeja will force the management to find an adequate replacement while also maintaining the balance of the team.
Afghanistan had a topsy-turvy campaign where they showed flashes of brilliance but were not as consistent as they would have liked. The rise of Rahmanullah Gurbaz in time for the World Cup addresses their top order but it is the middle order that needs to pull their socks up. Apart from Najibullah Zadran, the middle-order has failed to go big with the bat.
On the other side, while Afghanistan have no dearth of world-class spinners, they will be hoping their fast bowlers can come to the party. The bowling has particularly struggled in the death overs and have been guilty of leaking too many runs in the end.
Bangladesh had a tournament to forget as they crashed out of the group stages without a win. In the aftermath of the Asia Cup, veteran Mushfiqur Rahim decided to retire from T20Is, leaving Shakib Al Hasan and Co. with little time to find a replacement heading into the World Cup.
The batting form of Mosaddek Hossain was the only bright spot in the tournament and they will be hoping he can carry his form to Australia.
Best quotes
Sri Lanka batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa: "Looking forward, we want to keep up this momentum ahead of the World Cup. With the crisis happening back home, this is a tough time for all the Sri Lankans, but hope we brought some smiles on the faces of our people. This is to the whole nation; they were waiting for this for so long."
Pakistan coach Saqlain Mushtaq: "The way we played, we reached semi-finals of the T20 World Cup last year, we got to the final of an Asia Cup here. Evidence suggests you're doing something right to get here."
India batter Virat Kohli: "I feel very blessed, very grateful right now. Last two and a half years has taught me a lot. I’m going to turn 34 in November, so celebrations are all from the past."
https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2788816
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