SL vs PAK, Asia Cup:  Sri Lanka 170 for 6 (Rajapaksa 71*, Rauf 3-29) beat Pakistan 147 all out (Rizwan 55, Madushan 4-34, Hasaranga 3-27) by 23 runs

Pakistan took the lead in Sri Lanka’s first 10 overs, but it has been mostly Dasun Shanaka’s team that has dominated since. Bhanuka Rajapaksa reversed Sri Lanka’s innings with his 45 to 71 unbeaten run. He struck 4 and 6 from his last two balls and made 170/6 overall in 20 overs, even though in the first 10 he was 67/5.

Pakistan then got a 10-run boost early in the innings after Dilshan Madushanka threw a no-ball and four wides, one of which went on the boundary. However, Sri Lanka has not given Pakistan many chances since then. Mohammad Rizwan trailed the ball 49-55 and was sent off after 17 overs, causing a meltdown. In the end, Pakistan went all out with his 147 and Sri Lanka won the final with his 23 runs.

Pramod Madushan made an ideal start for Sri Lanka with wickets from back-to-back deliveries when on his play of power he drove off Babar Azam and his Fakhar Zaman. Pakistan scored 37/2 in 6 overs.

The Rajapaksa Success

Bhanuka Rajapaksa led an excellent comeback, going unbeaten with 71 points and leading Sri Lanka to his competitive 170/6. SL, who started first, were in serious trouble after dropping 5 wickets in just 58 runs. Hasaranga departed on his 36th, while Rajapaksa finished half a century to give the team the title.

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Pakistani captain Babar Azam chose to throw the ball first in the showdown, and Sri Lanka remained unchanged in the final, relying on his 11-man victory over Pakistan on Friday. Meanwhile, Pakistan recalled Naseem Shah and Shadab Khan after being benched for the insignificant final Super Four game. SL captain Dasun Shanaka said he also bowled first, highlighting the important role Toth played throughout the event.