Lanka’s incredible triumph

As fireworks lit up the open sky dome of the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka were celebrating in the glow of a wonderful Asia Cup triumph -- their sixth title in the event.

All they had to do was turn around the incredible odds of the coin-toss factor which saw a majority of games go in favour of side batting second. The turnaround, just as drastic as they turned their innings around from five down for 58 yesterday.

So many times this series, Sri Lanka have found more than one hero in tough situations but Bhanuka Rajapaksa turned out to be a one-man army with the bat in the final to beat Pakistan by 23 runs.

In an electric atmosphere, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan came to bat feeling confident of the chase but Pakistan's unpredictability was more predictable due to Babar and Fakar Zaman's ongoing form at the top and the fallibility of a middle order, which could not decide what gear to pick in chase of the 171-run target.

Pramod Madushan, who just made his debut two days earlier in the dress rehearsal of the final, struck twice in two deliveries, first removing Babar and Fakhar to rattle Pakistan's chase. Rizwan, who anchored the innings along with Ifthikar Ahmed, put on 71 for the third wicket but after the 13th over, the equation was 80 needed off 42 deliveries and Pakistan fell away sharply. Madushan struck again late in the 14th and 16th overs, removing Ifthikar and Mohammad Nawaz. When Rizwan departed for 55, it became Sri Lanka's game as the rest of the Pakistan power-hitters fell away one by one to be bowled out for 147.

Earlier, Naseem Shah, who impressed massively in this tournament, got one to tail in from quite a wide arc to rattle in-form Kusal Mendis' stumps in just the third delivery of the final. The power struggle between Dhananjaya de Silva and Pakistan attack began early as the Lankan played a few gorgeous cover drives.

Pakistan dominated with Haris Rauf bowling at pace removing Pathum Nissanka before he got one to swing late into left-handed Danushka Gunathilaka to knock out the stumps. A pivotal moment came when Rauf got another one to dart back in and trap Rajapaksa in front but umpire's call saved the batter's blushes.

With skipper Dasun Shanaka castled by Shadab Khan, Sri Lanka were in deep trouble at five for 58.

Sri Lanka have often relied on partnerships to keep ticking and against the tide of the game, Rajapakse and Hasaranga challenged Mohammad Hasnain's inexperience and then took on Naseem during a period of the game that produced 51 runs in five overs. Rauf went for 11 in that period but picked up Hasaranga after an impactful 36 off 21 and Hasnain went for 14, Naseem for 16. Three pacers went for 41 in three and the pick-up shot from Rajapaksa off Naseem capped off that period.

Shadab had dropped Rajapaksa once on 46 and then conspired with Asif Ali to make a meal of a catch which went for six. Sri Lanka finished on a high with Rajapaksa hitting a four and a six off Naseem to finish on 71 off 45 as Lankans posted 170 for six, an incredible turnaround.