Undefeated Sri Lanka will face Pakistan in the Asia Cup final on March 8 at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur.
Pakistan completed an excellent comeback over Bangladesh in the final group game, chasing 327 thanks to Shahid Afridi's brutal innings, with Ahmed Shehzad's ton setting up Umar Akmal to score the winning runs to mark a memorable turnaround.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka secured their place in the final after bowling out Afghanistan to win by 129 runs, setting up a final with 2012 winners Pakistan.
The two sides met on the opening day of this year's competition, as Lahiru Thirimanne's ton put Sri Lanka on their way to a 12-run win.
Sri Lanka finished bottom of the table in the 2012 Asia Cup and failed to pick up a tournament win.
However, it's a different story this time around as the side have maintained an unbeaten run to reach the final.
A change in fortune for the four-time winners, per Information Cricket, has seen the side overcome all opponents this time around.
Kumar Sangakkara has been talismanic with the bat for Sri Lanka in this year's contest, leading the batting totals with a whopping 248 runs across the four matches, per ESPN Cricinfo.
Sangakkara's power with the bat highlights his side's dominance throughout, with 26 fours and two sixes to eclipse his fellow batsmen across all five squads.
The final could also play the perfect backdrop to a milestone victory for Sangakkara, as tweeted by Cricket Record:
But if Sri Lanka are to benefit from their fine run of form, they'll have to overcome history as dictated by Pakistan's dominance between the two sides in one-day internationals, per ESPN Cricinfo.
They will also have to hope that their 36-year-old talisman is on top form in the final and focused on maintaining his place at the top of the run charts, as the side looks to record their fifth Asia Cup title.
Afridi the key to Pakistan success while battling critics
After criticism of his performances back home, Shadid Afridi hit back against his doubters as he helped his side reach the final.
However, Afridi's ability to pick up important runs when it really matters is what separates him from the rest, as a three-in-one cricketer who excels with bat, ball and also in the field.
Speaking of his career to reporters, Afridi defended his place within the Pakistan team:
Pakistan completed an excellent comeback over Bangladesh in the final group game, chasing 327 thanks to Shahid Afridi's brutal innings, with Ahmed Shehzad's ton setting up Umar Akmal to score the winning runs to mark a memorable turnaround.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka secured their place in the final after bowling out Afghanistan to win by 129 runs, setting up a final with 2012 winners Pakistan.
The two sides met on the opening day of this year's competition, as Lahiru Thirimanne's ton put Sri Lanka on their way to a 12-run win.
Sri Lanka finished bottom of the table in the 2012 Asia Cup and failed to pick up a tournament win.
However, it's a different story this time around as the side have maintained an unbeaten run to reach the final.
A change in fortune for the four-time winners, per Information Cricket, has seen the side overcome all opponents this time around.
Kumar Sangakkara has been talismanic with the bat for Sri Lanka in this year's contest, leading the batting totals with a whopping 248 runs across the four matches, per ESPN Cricinfo.
Sangakkara's power with the bat highlights his side's dominance throughout, with 26 fours and two sixes to eclipse his fellow batsmen across all five squads.
The final could also play the perfect backdrop to a milestone victory for Sangakkara, as tweeted by Cricket Record:
But if Sri Lanka are to benefit from their fine run of form, they'll have to overcome history as dictated by Pakistan's dominance between the two sides in one-day internationals, per ESPN Cricinfo.
They will also have to hope that their 36-year-old talisman is on top form in the final and focused on maintaining his place at the top of the run charts, as the side looks to record their fifth Asia Cup title.
Afridi the key to Pakistan success while battling critics
After criticism of his performances back home, Shadid Afridi hit back against his doubters as he helped his side reach the final.
However, Afridi's ability to pick up important runs when it really matters is what separates him from the rest, as a three-in-one cricketer who excels with bat, ball and also in the field.
Speaking of his career to reporters, Afridi defended his place within the Pakistan team:
No comments:
Post a Comment