LAHORE – A stunning counterattack from Bhanuka Rajapaksa and impressive bowling performances from Pramod Madushan and Wanindu Hasaranaga helped Sri Lanka to beat Pakistan in the final of the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium and lift the trophy for the sixth time.
Sri Lanka had built 171-run target for the Team Green despite losing early wickets as Rajapaksa smashed a scintillating 45-ball 71.
However, Babar Azam-led squad failed to perform at all fronts – batting, bowling and fielding – as it collapsed at 147.
On one side, fans reacted strongly after Pakistan could not bring the trophy to the country, celebrities also shared their views two cents after team could not perform up to mark, with some showing support for the players.
Singer Ali Zafar expressed sorrow over the defeat. Taking to Instagram, he wrote: “Did we win or loose ? Am on west coast time line. Just woke up and saw …. ! I think I wanna go back to sleep”.
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Fahad Mustaf wrote on Twitter, “Srilanka played as a team and we as individuals! Srilanka deserves to win”.
Srilanka played as a team and we as individuals! Srilanka deserves to win 😊
— Fahad Mustafa (@fahadmustafa26) September 11, 2022
Filmstar Shaan Shahid lambasted the team for slow batting and poor fielding, urging the coach to come forward and take responsibility for it.
Respect the T20 format as it is not like 50overs cricket it requires different planning different mindset different players .. fakhr is not worth the damage he does try him in a 50 over match where the other team bowlers gives you room to hit in their 10 over spell
— Shaan Shahid (@mshaanshahid) September 11, 2022
Fielding.. coach would you pls step up and claim responsibility @TheRealPCBMedia as this kind of fielding is total embarrassment for us and especially for you.. #proffessional players know there field .. no one runs and bumps another player in there fielding zone #tapeballmatch
— Shaan Shahid (@mshaanshahid) September 11, 2022
Congratulations Sri Lanka truly well deserved victory and championship…. #AsiaCup2022Final #PAKvSL pic.twitter.com/OgBVnGBPpi
— Fakhr-e-Alam S.I & S.E (@falamb3) September 11, 2022
Pakistan star Hira Mani said that Pakistani players made good efforts in the match, saying she has finally started watching cricket.
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Yumna Zaidi also shared her reaction.
Singer Asim Azhar also expressed disappointment but he hoped that the team will come back stronger.
Well played Sri Lanka!!! 👏🏽 Truly deserve to be champions. Disappointed leken koi baat nahi boys @TheRealPCB come back stronger! And thanks for the amazing memories thru out this #asiacup2022 💚
— Asim Azhar (@AsimAzharr) September 11, 2022
Pakistan team will now take part in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, starting in October this year.
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