India registered a record-extending 8th Asia Cup title as Mohammed Siraj ran through the Sri Lankan batting order, picking up 4 wickets in a single over.
Siraj registered a record five wickets in 16 balls, the joint fastest in ODI cricket history, before going on to pick another one to register a career best 6/21 in ODIs. He also marked his 50th wicket in the match.
Quickest to take a five-wicket haul in ODIs (by least balls bowled):
- Chaminda Vaas – 16 balls vs BAN in Pietermaritzburg, 2003
- Ali Khan – 16 balls vs JER in 2023 WC Qualifier Playoffs
- Mohammed Siraj – 16 balls vs SL in Colombo(RPS), 2023
Jasprit Bumrah started off proceedings right on the money with suffocating line, lenght and pace, picking up thr dangerous Kusal Perera off the third ball itself.
Then began the carnage, as Siraj blew through the top order of Sri Lanka, taking four wickets in the fourth over alone.
The Sri Lankan batters looked clueless in the swinging, seaming conditions offering wild shots in response to the pin point accuracy of India’s opening bowling attack.
Siraj came back in his second over and dismissed Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka, thus completing his five-wicket haul.
Sri Lanka were thus left reeling at 12/6 in 5.4 overs at that point in a bewildering scene.
The nightmare continued for as Hardik Pandya got into the action and picked up three wickets, wiping off the Sri Lankan innings with two back-t- back wickets in the first two balls of the 16th over.
Sri Lanka were all out for 50, their second lowest score ever in ODIs, after skipper Shanaka won the toss and opted to bat.
In the paltry chase, Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan, sent in to open the innings, comfortably took India home in 6.1 overs.
Highlights
Sri Lanka earned their spot in the final by defeating Pakistan by a narrow margin of two wickets during the Super Four stage, setting the stage for a highly anticipated showdown against India.
In Sunday’s final, delayed by rains, Sri Lanka was aiming to match India’s remarkable record of seven Asia Cup finals marking their second consecutive final appearance and their 11th overall.
India and Sri Lanka hold the record for the most One Day International (ODI) encounters between any two teams, having clashed in 166 matches.
Out of these, India have emerged victorious in 98 while Sri Lanka have secured 57 wins. Also, 11 matches concluded with ‘no result’ and one ended in a tie.
The R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo is historically known for its batting-friendly pitches with teams batting first getting a more favourable result than those who chase.
As the game unfolds, it tends to provide assistance to spinners. However, the main concern is rain, which has disrupted multiple matches in the tournament this year.
All that changed on Sunday, except for the rain of course.
Key highlights of the Asia Cup 2023 Final:
1. Having won the toss, Sri Lanka opted to take the first turn at batting.
2. Due to inclement weather, the match’s commencement was postponed by 40 minutes.
3. Jasprit Bumrah managed to secure a critical wicket on the third delivery of the match.
4. Following that, Mohammed Siraj made a significant impact, claiming four wickets during his second over, leaving Sri Lanka reeling.
5. In an impressive display of skill, Mohammed Siraj achieved a six-wicket haul in just seven overs.
6. In the 13th over, Hardik Pandya claimed another wicket, reducing Sri Lanka to their final two batsmen, with 40 overs still to be played. Pandya took the final wicket as well.
7. Sri Lanka suffered a devastating collapse, managing a mere 50 runs in 15.2 overs.
8. India’s opening pair of Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill successfully chased down the target with a remarkable 263 balls to spare, setting a new record.
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