Sri Lanka claimed a brutally efficient five-wicket victory over efending champions Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2014 final in Dhaka on Saturday.
Going into the final with a perfect record throughout the competition, a five-wicket haul from Lasith Malinga and opener Lahiru Thirimanne's fluent century guided Sri Lanka to glory.
Sri Lanka were clinical as they restricted Pakistan to a modest 260-5 and then overhauled the target with 22 balls to spare to lift their fifth Asia Cup title. The last time they won the regional championship was in 2008.
Pakistan won the toss and Misbah-ul-Haq opted to bat first. Malinga pegged Pakistan back as he demolished the rival top order with his fierce pace and it was Fawad Alam's magnificent unbeaten 114 that guided to a respectable score.
Riding on the century of Thirimanne, Sri Lanka chased the total of 261 runs with an ease. Mahela, who was out of form, too contributed well with the bat and stitched a crucial partnership of 156 runs for the third wicket with Thirimanne to chase the target quite comfortably.
They have been the most consistent team throughout the tournament and their all-round quality shined through in this final.
No comments:
Post a Comment