Bhanuka Rajapaksa has thanked the optimistic mood of the Sri Lankan squad for allowing him to play without excessive pressure and hit the vital runs to create the stage for his country’s historic triumph. During the game, he revealed how he approached hitting the ball as well as how he and Wanindu Hasaranga established their partnership.
In the Asia Cup final against Pakistan in Dubai, Sri Lanka seemed to have lost the thread of the match very early on, falling to a dazzling pace assault and being left reeling at 58/5. On the other hand, the middle order of the Lions, namely Bhanuka Rajapaksa, had different intentions in mind. After putting up a partnership with the ever-reliable Wanindu Hasaranga, the two batsmen scored 58 runs for the sixth wicket in just 36 balls, so securing the momentum before the former team won easily. He was able to score 71 runs in only 45 deliveries, and his knock included three maximums, six boundaries, and a total of six maximums.
This one is for you Sri Lanka!. Thank you for your endless love and support. ❤❤ https://t.co/BWF3ooO7gq
— Bhanuka Rajapaksa (@BhanukaRajapak3) September 11, 2022
What did Bhanuka Rajapaksa say?
“Things did not go well out there. They had a good bowling plan. Wanindu and I came up with a wonderful strategy. The Sri Lankan cricket team has a reputation for being upbeat and relaxed under pressure. That made it easier for us to score runs,” Rajapaksa said in the post-match press conference.
“Wanindu intended to attack while Iftikhar was bowling, but thankfully, both of us were getting the runs, so it didn’t work out,” Bhanuka remarked.
What a comeback by Sri Lanka – 58/5 in 8.5 overs to 170/6 in the Final of Asia Cup. Fantastic stuff by Bhanuka Rajapaksa and also Hasaranga.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) September 11, 2022
The 30-year-old’s efforts were sufficient to carry the team to 170/6 after their 20 overs, which proved to be too costly for Pakistan, as they crumpled for a mere 147, which was 23 runs short of the total scored by the other side. Earlier in the competition, Rajapaksa had also hit match-winning fast cameos against Afghanistan and India. However, during the final, Rajapaksa made sure to remain on the crease for a lengthier period so that he could adjust to the necessities of the match.
“I had to adjust my strategy today because Pakistan was on top at that moment. I had to spend some time on the pitch,” Rajapaksa confessed.
“When Chris came to talk to us at the drinks break, I told him that it looked like a 140 pitch. And eventually, we stayed till the end, and the eventual target was much different. This is a game of momentum, and we set the momentum in the last over of the first innings, and it carried over into the second innings,” he added.
