Sports

Sri Lanka clinch Asia Cup for the 6th time after stunning win

Published

4 years ago

2022/09/12

Sri Lanka emerged Asia Cup champions for the sixth time with a 23-run win over the more-fancied Pakistan in Dubai. Central to the title win was a counter-attacking batting effort from Bhanuka Rajapaksa (71* off 45) and Wanindu Hasaranga (36 off 21), who lifted Sri Lanka from 58/5 and set 171 for Pakistan, a target that proved too tall for Babar Azam and Co on the night. They were bowled out for 147 in 20 overs as Sri Lanka brought up five consecutive T20Is wins for the first time since April 2014.

How the toss spiced things up

Coming into this final, Sri Lanka’s only loss in the tournament came when they batted first. To be fair, it wasn’t a one-off instance of them failing to put a total on the board; since the 2021 T20 World Cup, Sri Lanka had lost all the seven matches they batted first in. Furthermore, the venue only multiplied the challenge on offer – teams chasing in Dubai had won 26 of the last 30 games leading into this final. So when the coin fell Pakistan’s way, it pitted Sri Lanka’s bat-first limitations against Pakistan’s grey chasing record, making for a fascinating contest.

Just how did SL get to 58/5?

Pakistan were just too good with their pace upfront. Naseem Shah, steaming in, rattled Kusal Mendis’s stumps in the opening over but more pace awaited them in the form of Harif Rauf, who notched up pace in excess of 150 and picked the wickets of Pathum Nissanka (caught at mid-off) and Danushka Gunathilaka (bowled). Things went from bad to worse when Iftikhar Ahmed got rid of Dhananjaya de Silva, who had hitherto looked Sri Lanka’s best batter.

Now let’s talk about that partnership

Looking back, Pakistan were taken aback by that counterattacking partnership between Wanindu Hasaranga and Bhanuka Rajapaksa. The duo added 58 runs off 36 balls for the sixth wicket. Hasaranga, in particular, was aggressive against pace and spin alike, and even hit Rauf for two consecutive boundaries before edging one to the keeper. Rajapaksa then took control, finishing with 6 fours and 3 sixes and helping his side add 53/0 in the last five overs. It was only the second time in eight T20Is in 2022 Sri Lanka managed 150+ batting first.

Pakistan could have restricted them for fewer?

Yes.. The pitch had good bounce for shot-making but also had enough in it for the bowlers. But Babar Azam instead of attacking Sri Lanka at five-down, allowed Rajapaksa-Hasaranga to get their eyes in against three overs of spin.

Pakistan’s fielding in the last five overs didn’t help either. Rajapaksa was dropped twice, first by Shadab Khan on 49 at long-on before he collided with Asif Ali at deep mid-wicket and made for another drop. In contrast, Sri Lanka took all the catches that came their way, which at Dubai’s ‘Ring of Fire’ stadium isn’t always easy.

Pakistan and chase: what went wrong today?

Babar Azam’s form and Mohammad Rizwan’s slow-cooked fifty that lacked impetus to chase something like 171 in a high-pressure final. Looking back, Pakistan weren’t able to counterattack when they lost Babar (caught at short fine leg) and Fakhar Zaman (chopped on) off consecutive balls to Pramod Madushan (who finished with 4 for 34). Both Iftikhar Ahmed and Rizwan were slow to get off the blocks and it meant that Pakistan were only 68/2 at the halfway mark. To be fair to the duo, they had done well against Hasaranga, picking 25 runs off his first three overs but his fourth, it can be said, all but decided the match. Three wickets fell in that over; that of a well-set Rizwan (55 off 49), Asif Ali and Khushdil Shah, and it all led to Pakistan being bowled out for 147 in 20 overs. (cricbuzz)

All News Advertisement

Latest News

Pakistan, Sri Lanka look to find the right mix as World Cup countdown begins

Published

11 mins ago

2026/10/17

Priyan

Arafat Minhas made his ODI debut earlier this year (Cricinfo)

Sri Lanka’s men begin this match having won an international in the past week. This is more significant than it sounds. Their 2026 has been abysmal, with the team losing 22 matches to the 10 they have won. New captain Kusal Mendis had carried his team to that victory with his 87 not out off 48 balls, after Sri Lanka’s seamers had also had an encouraging outing.

But the game was only a dead rubber, Pakistan having sewn up the T20I series already. Pakistan have hardly been lighting up 2026 either, but they have had substantially more success than Sri Lanka. They had won their most recent ODI series, against Australia, 2-1. In that series, Pakistan may even have discovered a bright young all-round talent, left-arm spinner and lower-order batter Arafat Minhas, who claimed the Player of the Series award for his seven wickets at an average of 12.28. He has been in penetrative form in the past 10 days as well, having claimed five wickets across the three T20Is against Sri Lanka. Against Australia, Pakistan had also had excellent performances from Shaheen Afridi and legspinner Abrar Ahmed. It had, in fact, been Pakistan’s bowlers who dominated in a low-scoring series.

The tri-series is important for all three sides because there is now officially less than 12 months before the World Cup, which is set to begin on October 2 next year. Sri Lanka still have plenty to figure out – their white-ball squads having been in serious flux this year, as a new set of selectors searches (often fruitlessly) for a winning combination. Pakistan have players and stratetgies to trial as well.

In the series against Australia, Babar Azam had top-scored for Pakistan, hitting 40, 16, and 69 to average 41.66 across the matches. No one will call it a return to his heyday, but it was an encouraging sign following a modest run in 2025, in which he averaged 34 across 17 innings. Sri Lanka has been one of his favoured opponents over the years, Babar having struck four of his 20 centuries against them, averaging 58.33. The tracks in Rawalpindi at least are expected to be good for batting. Can he build up some form in the one format he now plays?

Lahiru Udara has reason to feel miffed at the selectors, many think. Having hit 188 against West Indies three Tests ago, he was left out of the squad entirely for the forthcoming Test series. But with Pathum Nissanka having been ruled out of the ODIs through an ongoing hamstring problem, Udara has surged into ODI contention on the back of a good T20I innings last week. At age 32, he knows his chances at this level are numbered. With the World Cup on the horizon, there is perhaps no better format to impress in right now than ODIs.

With neither Sahibzada Farhan nor Maaz Sadaqat in the ODI squad, Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman may open.

Pakistan (possible): Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Nawaz, Babar Azam, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, Ghazi Ghouri (wk), Minhas Arafat, Shaheen Afridi (capt.), Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah

Sri Lanka may bring Avishka Fernando straight into the XI, with Kamil Mishara having had a run of modest scores. Sri Lanka also have some decisions to make on the spin-bowling front, although they are likely to favour Maheesh Theekshana over legspinner Sachindu Colombage.

Sri Lanka (possible): Lahiru Udara, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (capt, wk), Kamindu Mendis, Sahan Arachchige/Pavan Rathnayake, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Eshan Malinga, Maheesh Theekshana, Asitha Fernando

(Cricinfo)

Latest News

Mumbai Indians and head coach Mahela Jayawardene part ways

Published

2 hours ago

2026/10/17

Priyan

Mahela Jayawardene gets down to work (Cricinfo)

Mumbai Indians and their IPL head coach Mahela Jayawardene have parted ways ahead of the 2027 auction. Jayawardene was the MI head coach for the last two seasons, in his second stint with the franchise in that position. He had previously served in that role from 2017 to 2022.

“Mumbai Indians has been a very special part of my journey for over a decade now,” Jayawardene said in an MI statement. “The players, coaching team, the incredible support of the #OneFamily and above all the fans have made this an experience I will always treasure. Together, we have shared some unforgettable moments, overcome challenges and built something we can all be proud of. I want to sincerely thank Mrs. Nita Ambani and Akash Ambani for their unwavering trust, support and friendship over the years. I leave with immense pride in what we have achieved together and will always carry a special place in my heart for MI. I wish the team every success in the years ahead.”

Cricinfo has learned that the question of a possible change in coaching staff came up during the 2026 season review in August, when both the player leadership group and the franchise agreed they needed to look for a change. It is understood Jayawardene, too, agreed with the viewpoint of bringing in younger coaches to bring in fresh perspectives.

The new coach will have the choice of taking a call on the rest of the existing MI coaching staff which includes Kieron Pollard (assistant coach) and Paras Mhambrey (bowling coach).

Jayawardene’ departure leaves MI’s team management in a tricky position, with captain Hardik Pandya also under the spotlight after their second-from-bottom finish in IPL 2026. Not long after MI finished with just four wins from 14 games, rumours of a Hardik trade began circulating in reports and social media. Hardik’s individual performance also didn’t inspire much confidence: he took just four wickets in 10 games and scored 206 runs from 10 innings, striking at 138.25 with a high score of 40.

Jayawardene took over as the MI head coach before IPL 2025, replacing Mark Boucher. Before that, Jayawardene had served as their global head of performance from 2022 to 2024. In that position, Jayawardene had also overseen MI’s three other franchises – MI Emirates in the ILT20, MI New York in MLC and MI Cape Town in SA20.

In his first stint as head coach, Jayawardene won three IPL titles. The second one was less successful, with MI finishing fourth on the league table in 2025 before losing in Qualifier 2, and ninth in 2026.

“Mahela has made a significant contribution to Mumbai Indians over the years,” MI owner Nita Ambani said, “His calm leadership, integrity and deep love for the game have meant so much to us. On behalf of the entire MI family, I want to thank Mahela for his immense contribution and unwavering commitment over the years. We will always cherish the journey we have shared and the memories we have created together. Mahela will always be a part of our #OneFamily, and we wish him every happiness and success in the journey ahead.”

MI now need to look for a head coach with under a month left for the IPL retention deadline – November 15. The IPL auction is expected to take place around a month later in Goa.

MI last won the IPL in 2020 when they became the first team to successfully defend their title. Both trophy wins came under Jayawardene.

(Cricinfo)

Latest News

Rose Bowl expanded to include Australia vs New Zealand T20Is

Published

13 hours ago

2026/10/17

Priyan

Australia have held the Rose Bowl continuously since 2000 [Cricinfo]

The Rose Bowl, which has been awarded to the winner of ODI series between the women’s teams of Australia and New Zealand since 1985, has now been expanded to include T20Is as well.

New Zealand’s three match T20I tour of Australia, which begins on Sunday at the North Sydney Oval, will be the first T20I edition of the Rose Bowl. The teams will get to face off again for the trophy in March 2027 when they meet again for three ODIs, also in Australia.

For Rose Bowl series that include matches in both white-ball formats, the trophy will go to the team with the most wins overall. In case of a drawn series, the current holder will retain the trophy.

“The Rose Bowl is a prestigious trophy that holds a lot of meaning to current and past players, and it’s a series we’ve always taken a lot of pride in competing in,”Catherine Campbell, NZC’s chief cricket operations officer and a former New Zealand player, said. “With so much T20I cricket now being played, this is a brilliant opportunity to keep the Rose Bowl relevant and to build on the history between us and our Australian rivals.”

New Zealand captain Melie Kerr was excited by the broadening of opportunities to compete for the Rose Bowl.

“We’re all aware of what the Rose Bowl represents and the importance it holds in the White Ferns whakapapa [genealogy],” said Kerr. “Great players and teams have fought for it over the years and we’d love the opportunity to claim our own piece of that history.”

Australia have held the Rose Bowl continuously since wresting it back from New Zealand in 2000. Since that 3-0 win, Australia have won 18 times with one series – in 2008-09 – shared 2-2. Overall, Australia have won 26 of the 31 ODI series played for the Rose Bowl, with New Zealand winning three times and three series drawn.

North Sydney will host all three T20Is of the upcoming Rose Bowl series, on October 18, 20 and 22.

[Cricinfo]