Dasun Shanaka reveals how MS Dhoni-led CSK’s win in IPL 2021 inspired Sri Lanka’s Asia Cup 2022 win vs Pakistan
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Sri Lanka vs Pakistan
History will show how winning the toss at the Dubai stadium is the most important for a team and when the coin flipped in favour of Pakistan skipper Babar Azam in the Asia Cup 2022 final and he opted to field, the underdogs Sri Lanka knew they need to produce some masterful game on the field, as things can slip out of their hands while defending the target.
But even before that, Lankans’ situation got worse as they were tethering at 58/5 in the 9th over. Bhanuka Rajapaksa then grabbed the reins and never looked back. He went on to score an unbeaten 71 runs off 45 balls, getting an ample amount of support from Wanindu Hasaranga.
Hasaranga was the star of that match. His all-round performance altered the situation completely in his team’s favour. In one over, he scalped three wickets, first by sending opener Mohammad Rizwan in the 17th over, and grabbed the wickets of other two players.
What else did the Lankans needed then to win? Just a few dismissals which other bowlers did easily, helping Sri Lanka bowl out Pakistan on 147, winning the match by 23 runs and becoming Asia Cup champions for the sixth time.
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“In IPL 2021, Chennai won the match batting first”- Dasun Shanaka
Sri Lankan skipper Dasun Shanaka then revealed how MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings’ IPL 2021 victory against Kolkata Knight Riders at the same venue had inspired the Lankans to defend the target of 171.
“In IPL 2021, Chennai won the match batting first and that is what was in my mind. These youngsters know the conditions really well. Wanindu made a huge impact after losing five wickets. Chamika and DDS batted really well too. The last ball six was the turning point. 170 was mentally the difference, as 160 always feels chasable. As a youngster, we knew Madushanka would deliver, and as a captain we had to back him,” said Shanaka at the post-match presentation ceremony.
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Gouri Das
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