Bhanuka Rajapaksa says Sri Lanka’s shock Asia Cup success in Dubai can help fuel a title tilt at the T20 World Cup in Australia next month.
Sri Lanka cast aside years of on-field failure, corruption scandals, and stress away from sport, as they claimed a sixth Asia Cup title on Sunday night.
Rajapaksa played the vital innings as they bounced back from 58 for five to post 170 for six from their 20 overs.
Pakistan then fell 23 runs short as they were routed by Sri Lanka’s bowlers in front of a pulsating crowd at Dubai International Stadium.
As a marker of how far Sri Lanka had slipped in the game, they will have to play the preliminary qualifying round at the T20 World Cup.
That will involve matches against UAE, Namibia and the Netherlands in Geelong.
Rajapaksa is confident they can navigate that obstacle, and thinks it could even benefit Sri Lanka in the long run.
“It is all about momentum,” Rajapaksa said.
“Taking this ahead to the World Cup, we have three qualifying games to assess the conditions. That will be a great platform for us.
“I think this momentum will really help us compete well and probably clinch a title in the World Cup as well.”
While Sunday’s trophy win confirmed the resurgence of Sri Lanka as force in the game, it was also retribution for their new coach, Chris Silverwood.
The former fast bowler was sacked by England at the start of this year after an extended run of poor form. In his absence, he has seen Brendon McCullum entirely transform English Test cricket.
However, Silverwood, too, has now tasted great success, after overseeing a first Asia Cup title for his new team since 2014.
“The coach has always been a good motivator for us,” Rakapaksa said.
“All he wanted was for us to play aggressive cricket. When the stakes were down and we were 60-odd for five wickets in 10 overs, when Wanindu [Hasaranga] and myself were batting, he just wanted us to take some time and do the job we know how to do.
“We don’t want to change any person’s character, and we have been given the freedom to play as we wish.
“That really helps us as a team and as a young unit to come and win games like this.”
Silverwood praised his players for sticking to their gameplan and maintaining belief to take the title.
“The great thing is everyone has put their hands up [to contribute] at some point,” Silverwood said.
“I always had confidence the talent was there within the team. We just wanted to give them a method, and that is exactly what we have done.
“We have put some plans in place, they have worked very hard, and it is starting to show now. I think we can go from strength to strength.”
Team of the tournament
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1. Mohammed Rizwan (Pakistan) His go-slow in the final might have cost his side, but he was a pillar of reliability until then, and the tournament’s leading run-scorer. AFP -
2. Kusal Mendis (Sri Lanka) Scored slightly less runs than his opening partner, Pathum Nissanka, but at a faster rate. Together they infused their side with belief. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
3. Virat Kohli (India) Hit the lone century of the competition, and only Rizwan managed more runs overall. The King is back. AFP -
4. Suryakumar Yadav (India) Gave the start of the tournament its most thrilling sight, when he laced 68 not out in 23 balls against Hong Kong. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
5. Bhanuka Rajapaksa (Sri Lanka) Proving that “Rajapaksa” is not always a dirty word. He played the seminal innings of the final, with his counter-punching 71 not out. AP -
6. Mohammed Nawaz (Pakistan) Played almost the perfect match in Pakistan’s win over India, with a fine spell with the ball, a crucial cameo with the bat, and three brilliant catches. AP -
7. Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka) The player of the tournament applied the coup de grace in the final, with three wickets in an over to start the party. AFP -
8. Shadab Khan (Pakistan) Apologised to fans for his two dropped catches in the final, but few had done more than him to ensure Pakistan reached that point. AP -
9. Haris Rauf (Pakistan) The tournament was denied one stellar headline act with Shaheen Afridi’s absence, but the sight of a rampaging Rauf and Naseem Shah made up for it. AFP -
10. Mujeeb ur Rahman (Afghanistan) The most miserly bowler out of anyone who sent down any significant number of overs in the tournament, with an economy rate of 5.5. AFP -
11. Bhuvneshwar Kumar (India) The leading wicket-taker in the competition, which he signed off with his remarkable five for four against Afghanistan. AFP
