Asia Cup 2022: Dasun Shanaka lauds Asitha Fernando nerves during death 

Asitha Fernando guided Sri Lanka to Super Four (PC: Twitter)

As it has always been said, you cannot predict the result in the T20I beforehand, due to its fickle nature. The same case was witnessed in Match 5 of Asia Cup 2022 between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. 

In the first half, Bangladesh posted a strong total of 183 on the board and got into the break with momentum. 

Afterwards, The Lankan Lions were proficient enough to get a quick start, wherein they accumulated close to 50 runs in the powerplay overs, albeit with a loss of two wickets. 

It was a dazzling knock of the skilful batter Kusal Mendis, who slammed 60 off 37, which put Sri Lanka in a bright spot. In addition, skipper Dasun Shanaka produced a superlative knock of 45 off 33. 

Despite the sturdy knocks from both players, the Lions still needed 25 from 12 balls. In the first three balls, all-rounder Chamika Karunaratne garnered 10 runs to put pressure on the bowler Ebadot Hossain. 

However, the unfortunate run-out dismissal of Karunaratne got back Tigers back into the game. In the last ball of the same over, pace Asitha Fernando freed his arms to play a smashing lofted shot towards the covers to get a crucial boundary. 

With eight needed of the last over, Maheesh Theekshana took a single off Nasum Ahmed's first delivery. The subsequent ball saw confident Fernando playing a delightful slog sweep to get another boundary. 

Ahmed delivered a no-ball, amid Theekshana and Fernando also running for a double and ultimately winning a thriller for the team by two wickets. 

In a post-match presentation, Shanaka applauded the abilities of the 25-year-old Fernando to take the Lions home in crunch situation. 

"I felt Chamika's run-out was the game. But the way Asitha Fernando handled the nerves to win the game for us was fabulous to see. These youngsters are an amazing and talented bunch. Hope to do well in the next stage now," said Shanaka.