‘Showed character and passion to play, so proud of each and every one’ - Mahela Jayawardene hails Sri Lanka after Asia Cup triumph

Former Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene heaped praises on the young team that made the country proud by clinching the Asia Cup 2022 final, defeating Pakistan in the final. After a humiliating loss at the hands of Afghanistan in the group stage, Sri Lanka did not look back as they won all their remaining games to win the tournament.  

In the final, the Sri Lankan top order collapsed and the team was sent onto the backfoot straightaway with five early wickets. However, it was the show from Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Wanindu Hasaranga with the bat that changed the course of the game, while Pramod Madushan continued his impressive start to his Sri Lankan career with a four-wicket haul with the ball. 

Hasaranga was rewarded with the Player of the Tournament award for his all-round display in the tournament and he picked up three wickets in a single over in the final. The Island nation managed to turn all the tides against them in their favour and their incredible collective performance in the tournament definitely deserved the trophy.  

Jayawardene has now credited the Sri Lankan side for their performance and said that it was a good toss to lose in the end as Shanaka has been winning most of the tosses in the tournament until the final.  

"Good toss to lose boys !! Showed character and passion to play for the country and so proud of each and every one enjoy the victory as entire country will.. brilliant team effort #AsiaCup2022," tweeted Jayawardene after the game. 

Good toss to lose boys !! Showed character and passion to play for the country and so proud of each and every one… enjoy the victory as entire country will.. brilliant team effort #AsiaCup2022 👊

— Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) September 11, 2022