Hasaranga reflects on his match-winning performance against Pakistan
Wanindu Hasaranga had an exceptional Asia Cup campaign (PC: Twitter)
The invigorated Sri Lankan team managed to bring smiles to the people back home, who are facing tough situations in the country in the recent few months.
After Afghanistan thrashed them in the first fixture, Dasun Shanaka emerged victorious in all the subsequent five fixtures to lift their sixth Asia Cup title.
Batting first, Sri Lanka was rocked by early wickets of their key batters, which witnessed them reeling at 58/5. Then arrived Wanindu Hasaranga, who stitched a quality partnership with the in-form Bhanuka Rajapaska.
Hasaranga used the pace of the Pakistan bowling to good effect and placed it right to keep the team steering at a brisk rate. The 25-year-old slammed 36 off 21 balls, before getting dismissed in the 15th over.
Rajapaksa delivered the innings of his lifetime by finishing with 71* off 45 and power Sri Lanka to a score of 170.
In response, Pakistan's batting crumbled under pressure at the top. Furthermore, the pair of Mohammad Rizwan and Iftikhar Ahmed could not quite accelerate in the middle-overs.
Hasaraga took three wickets in the 17th over of the innings, including Rizwan's one to ultimately see Sri Lanka win the game by 23 runs.
Rightfully, the skilful spinner was named Player of the Tournament for his contribution of 66 runs & nine wickets.
In the post-match presentation, Hasaranga stated the main mantra of success has been to bowl at the stumps.
"When I went out to bat at 60/5, Bhanuka and me planned to get to 150, which was a good total. I told him that I would play my role and play my shots. In the first few overs, the ball swung, but when I batted, the wicket was really good.
"I love to bowl in the subcontinent. I look to bowl at the stumps in these conditions and that is why I am successful. I try to bowl tight and bowl dot balls. Our boys did a great job throughout the tournament especially after our loss against Afghanistan."
 "Tejas Rathi")
