Sri Lanka celebrate Asia Cup title as sport unites troubled nation

Success in cricket and netball brings smiles to country struggling with economic crisis

Sri Lankan cricketers and netballers did their bit to bring joy to a nation struggling with its worst economic crisis.

The national cricket team showed tremendous fight to defeat favourites Pakistan in the final of Asia Cup T20 tournament in Dubai after the women's team were crowned the Asian Netball champions following a 63-53 victory over hosts Singapore on Sunday.

While the netball team's success crept under the radar, the Asia Cup T20 triumph captured the imagination of the Lankans.

Charith Senanayake, the former Sri Lanka opener and manager who oversaw their campaign in the UAE as chairman of the Asia Cup technical committee, said the inspiration behind the cricket team's journey was aragalaya – meaning 'struggle' in Sinhala.

“The original intent of the aragalaya was to stand up against corruption and for people to fight for their rights, and the whole country backed up the struggle and it rubbed off on our cricketers,” Senanayake told The National.

“Our cricketers felt what the people of Sri Lanka were going through. That motivated the players to give 200 per cent when they were out there on the field.

“It has a massive impact on the players and every time they went out to play, they played with the intention of bringing a smile to 22 million Sri Lankans.”

Sri Lanka celebrate after beating Pakistan in the Asia Cup final at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, September 11, 2022. All images by Chris Whiteoak / The National

Sri Lanka celebrate after beating Pakistan by 23 runs in the Asia Cup final.

Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka, left and man of the match Bhanuka Rajapaksa.

Sri Lanka celebrate after beating Pakistan in the Asia Cup final.

Sri Lanka players celebrate after beating Pakistan.

Sri Lanka bowler Chamika Karunaratne celebrates after taking the wicket of Pakistan's Haris Rauf to win the game in Dubai.

Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva celebrates after taking the wicket of Pakistan batter Mohammad Rizwan.

Pakistan opner Mohammad Rizwan scored 55.

Pakistan's Mohammad Rizwan bats with Iftikhar Ahmed.

Pakistan's Iftikhar Ahmed during his knock of 32.

Sri Lanka bowler Pramod Madushan celebrates taking the wicket of Pakistan captain Babar Azam for five.

Pakistan's Shadab Khan lies injured after attempting a catch.

Sri Lanka's Pramod Madushan celebrates after bowling Pakistan batter Fakhar Zaman for a duck.

Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva during his knock of 36.

Pakistan's Naseem Shah after bowling Sri Lanka batter Kusal Mendis for a duck.

Pakistan bowler Haris Rauf after taking the wicket of Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva.

Sri Lanka opener Pathum Nissanka was out for eight

Sri Lanka's Bhanuka Rajapaksa after reaching 50.

Sri Lanka batter Kusal Mendis is bowled Pakistan's Naseem Shah.

Pakistan's Haris Rauf celebrates after taking the wicket of Sri Lanka batter Danushka Gunathilaka for one.

Sri Lanka's Bhanuka Rajapaksa during his unbeaten knock of 71.

Pakistan's Haris Rauf celebrates after taking the wicket of Sri Lanka batter Pathum Nissanka, who was caught by Babar Azam.

Pakistan's Haris Rauf bowls Sri Lanka batter Danushka Gunathilaka.

Sri Lanka's Dhananjaya de Silva scored 28.

Pakistan's Shadab Khan bowls Sri Lanka batter Dasun Shanaka for two.

Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva, left, and Bhanuka Rajapaksa.

Sri Lanka fans before the game in Dubai.

A Sri Lanka and Pakistan fan before the game.

General view of the Dubai International Cricket Stadium during the game.

Sri Lanka’s revival began during Australia’s tour to their shores with the home country winning the ODIs 3-2 and drawing the two Tests 1-1, while they lost T20 series 2-1. That was followed by a 1-1 draw against Pakistan in a two Test series.

“When Australia toured, the country was at a complete standstill with various issues like lack of fuel, power cuts and long queues to purchase essentials. Yet people filled the stadiums to back our cricketers,” Senanayake said.

“There was a lot of emotions among the players, and it created a new bonding to collectively give their best to put a smile on the faces of the people.”

Sri Lanka’s Asia Cup campaign began with a heavy defeat to Afghanistan in the opener, but the islanders bounced back to win all their remaining games to end up as champions.

Sri Lankan cricket fans celebrate the Asia Cup final win in Colombo. AFP

“It was a great team effort with everyone from seasoned players to freshers chipping in with valuable contributions,” Senanayake said.

“A lot of good work has been done by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and the selectors, who backed the players by providing them a long run to establish themselves. They picked the right combinations for every competition.”

According to Senanayake, a lot of work had gone in the last two years and even during the recent crisis, SLC kept cricket running despite their hardships.

“The domestic competitions were interrupted with the Lanka Premier League postponed. SLC arranged a [invitational] tournament to provide the players opportunity to play,” he explained.

“That was the platform given for these players. Kushal Mendis found his form back in this competition and it also gave the selectors a good look to find the right combinations.”

Charith Senanayake. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Sri Lanka will be hoping to take the momentum of their Asia Cup success into next month’s T20 World Cup in Australia.

However, they will have to play in a qualifier to book their place in the main competition, which Senanayake said would give the team a nice prep ahead of the main competition.

“The credit for this team’s revival must go to SLC and all the local coaches for bringing such talent to the table,” Senanayake added.

Asia Cup 2022 team of the tournament

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