Sri Lanka's Asia Cup 2022-winning hero Bhanuka Rajapaksa, whose stellar show with the bat played a pivotal role in his side's sensational victory in the final on Sunday against Pakistan, has dedicated the title to his crisis-hit island nation.
In the Asia Cup 2022 final, Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by 23 runs, with Bhanuka Rajapaksa contributing with 45-ball 71 not out. It was Sri Lanka바카라s sixth Asia Cup title.
Sri Lanka's Asia Cup 2022-winning hero Bhanuka Rajapaksa, whose stellar show with the bat played a pivotal role in his side's sensational victory in the final on Sunday against Pakistan, has dedicated the title to his crisis-hit island nation.
Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by 23 runs in the summit clash on Sunday night to clinch the Asia Cup crown after 2014, their sixth overall. Batting first, Sri Lanka were reduced to 67/5, but made a brilliant turnaround riding on Rajapaksa (71 not out) and Wanindu Hasaranga (36) to post 170/6.
바카라We always wanted to show the world - a couple of decades back, we had aggression in our side, and we wanted to create those moments (again) as a unit,바카라 a beaming Rajapaksa said at the post match press conference.
바카라Looking 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.바카라
바카라This is to the whole nation; they were waiting for this for so long,바카라 a smiling Rajapaksa added. Sri Lanka clinched the much-needed Asia Cup 2022 title in the backdrop of the country's worst economic crisis coupled with political unrest.
Sitting beside Rajapaksa was Sri Lanka's captain Dasun Shanaka and the 31-year-old praised his teammates for responding so well throughout the tournament despite losing to Afghanistan in their tournament opener.
바카라After that first loss, we had a serious discussion.바카라 Shanaka said. 바카라We knew we had the talent, but it was about applying those in game scenarios and all the players stood up. It's the environment we created as a team and coaching staff that has paid off,바카라 he added.
The Sri Lankan skipper also had a message for the fans back home following the title win. 바카라Believe in our cricketers. A lot of bad things are going around. As cricketers, they too should enjoy their lives as well, not spreading bad things.
바카라They have private lives too. Keep believing, that is the key. As a captain, I give confidence to the players, (whatever) I can. I can't ask more than that,바카라 Shanaka said. Shanaka further said that the Asia Cup win could be a stepping stone for greater things to come for Sri Lanka cricket, which is going through a transition phase for a long time.
바카라Even two-three years back, the team used to play good cricket, but the winning factor wasn't there,바카라 he said. 바카라This could be the turnaround in our cricket, this lot can continue to play for five-six years, which is a very good sign as well.
바카라The World Cup qualifiers will also help because it will allow us to play in that conditions before the main tournament happens. It will be really good (opportunity for us),바카라 he added. With a morale-boosting Asia Cup silverware now in their kitty, Shanaka said the same unit can achieve greater success in future.
바카라It's not like that. When it comes to India-Pakistan, we know it's a different game. Our cricketing history is also good, so we didn't have anything to prove about us being a good team,바카라 he said. 바카라The only thing is we weren't probably ranked high enough, but with this team, we can do better and become that high-ranking team,바카라 Shanaka signed off with a smile.