‘We took inspiration from Chennai’s 2021 Indian T20 League victory’ – Dasun Shanaka on how Sri Lanka successfully defended a total against Pakistan
Sri Lanka scripted an emphatic turnaround in the 2022 edition of the Asia Cup. When everyone believed that they will not be able to come back after the hammering they had against Afghanistan, they proved everybody wrong and emerged victorious.
At the post-match press conference, Dasun Shanaka told everyone about an unlikely hand in this victory and that was the hand of the Indian T20 League and the Chennai side. Dasun Shanaka said that Sri Lanka took inspiration from Chennai side’s victory over the Kolkata side in the Indian T20 League edition of 2021.
Even after Sri Lanka lost the toss, there was no looking back for Shanaka and Co. as his side scripted one of the most unbelievable turnarounds in Asia Cup final history. From being 58-5, they kept the intensity going and ended up with a wonderful total of 170 on the board. Once they got there, it was as if they had a firm hold on the Asia Cup trophy already.
The parallel was drawn with the Chennai side’s win in the same circumstances in Indian T20 League 2021 which inspired them and they too could win despite losing the toss at a venue that has proved to be a nightmare for teams defending targets.
Shanaka revealed that his team took inspiration from Chennai’s Indian T20 League 2021 triumph as they too had lost the toss. He said Chennai’s win in the same circumstances in Indian T20 League 2021 inspired them and that they were successful at doing the same.
Dasun Shanaka said he had kept in mind what Chennai did in the Indian Premier League 2021 final after losing the toss and batting first against Kolkata at the same venue.
“If I go back to IPL 2021, it was Chennai who won the final after batting first. These youngsters know conditions and situations really well. After losing five wickets, Hasaranga-Rajapaksa made a difference. Up front, Chamika and DDS batted really well too,” Shanaka said.
“I must thank the crowd, they were supporting us massively. And also to the fans at home, hope we made them proud,” he added.
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