Massive Victory Parade As Sri Lanka Returns Home Following Asia Cup Victory. Officials from Sri Lanka Cricket and the Sports Ministry greeted the players at the Bandaranaike International Airport.
Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by 23 runs in the Asia Cup 2022 final on Sunday at the Dubai International Stadium. Bhanuka Rajapaksa’s unbeaten 71-run knock and Pramod Madushan’s four-wicket haul helped Sri Lanka win their sixth Asia Cup title. The team has received worldwide acclaim for their outstanding performance in the tournament, and following their victory, the players took part in a massive victory parade when they returned home on Tuesday morning. At the Bandaranaike International Airport, officials from Sri Lanka Cricket and the Sports Ministry greeted the players.
The players were seen traveling in a double-decker bus, with fans on the roadside cheering and congratulating them in photos posted by Sri Lanka Cricket on Twitter. The players also interacted with the fans, thanking them for their overwhelming support even during the country’s crisis.
Also Visit: Fans React to Video of Ramiz Raja Snapping At An Indian Journalist
Asia Cup Victory: Massive Victory Parade As Sri Lanka Returns Home
#RoaringForGlory pic.twitter.com/ZGIEov8OxL
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) September 13, 2022
“Believe in our cricketers…a lot of bad things are going around. As cricketers, they should enjoy their lives as well, not spreading bad things. They have private lives as well. Keep believing, that is the key. As a captain, I give confidence to the players, [whatever] I can. I can’t ask for more than that,” captain Shanaka had said at the post-match press conference, as Sri Lanka’s unprecedented economic crisis served as the backdrop for the cricket team’s Asia Cup campaign
A crippling lack of foreign reserves has resulted in long lines for fuel, cooking gas, and other necessities, while power outages and soaring food prices have added to the people’s misery.
In the match, Bhanuka Rajapaksa hit a brilliant 71* off 45 deliveries to help Sri Lanka reach 170/6 from a position where even 150 looked difficult. Wanindu Hasaranga, who hit 36 off 21 deliveries, provided ample support.
Pramod Madushan then took two wickets in two balls to put Pakistan on the back foot early on. Mohammad Rizwan and Iftikhar Ahmed put on a 71-run partnership, but their scoring rate was too low, and the pressure was mounting.
Madushan then broke the stand and took his third wicket, and it’s been all Sri Lanka since, despite Rizwan’s half-century. Rizwan, Asif Ali, and Khushdil Shah were all sent packing in one over, effectively putting an end to Pakistan’s hopes.
Pakistan were eventually bowled out for 147 off the final delivery of the match, prompting ecstatic celebrations from Sri Lanka’s players.
Also Read: After Asia Cup final loss, PCB Chief Ramiz Raja snaps at an Indian journalist.