The Sri Lankan team, led by Dasun Shanaka, won the Asia Cup for the sixth time by defeating Pakistan by a score of 23 runs in the final. When Sri Lanka batted first in the championship match, they were struggling at 58/5, but Bhanuka Rajapaksa’s unbeaten 71-run effort helped them reach 170/6 in 20 overs, and after that, Pramod Madushan’s four-wicket haul bowled out Pakistan for 147, giving Sri Lanka a 23-run victory.

It is significant to note that Sri Lanka does not automatically qualify for the 2017 T20 World Cup and must first compete in the qualifiers to ensure their spot in the group stage. 

Virender Sehwag, a former Indian batter, made a novel suggestion, stating that it would be intriguing if teams that lose to opponents who haven’t qualified also forfeit their World Cup qualifying.

“Well played Sri Lanka, deserving champions of #AsiaCup. Imagine, they haven’t qualified for the T20 World Cup which is to be held next month. Wouldn’t it be interesting if you lose to a team that hasn’t qualified you too lose qualification. Tote ud jaate sab teams ke. #SLvsPAK,” tweeted Sehwag.

ALSO READ: Asia Cup 2022: 5 discussion points

Dasun Shanaka’s underrated group defeated Pakistan by 23 runs to win their sixth Asia Cup title here on Sunday. Sri Lanka, a country still picking up the pieces after the death of democracy while also experiencing severe financial instability, found 11 deserving heroes on the cricket field.

It was a victory that went far beyond cricket and had greater historical and political significance.