Colombo, 17 September 2023: In what proved to be an anticlimactic final to the eventful Asia Cup 2023, Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj singlehandedly outfoxed the Sri Lankan batting line-up to secure the title win for his side. By getting six wickets in the game, four of which came in one over, Siraj completely dominated the opposition, who had no answers for his menacing bowling.
After winning the toss, Sri Lanka chose to bat first, hoping to gain the advantage in Colombo. However, after opener Kusal Perera fell to Jasprit Bumrah in the first over, the tone was set. Siraj, who had been playing second fiddle to Bumrah, came into the attack and completely turned the game in India’s favour after he got four wickets in one over; Pathum Nissanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka and Dhananjaya de Silva.
Sri Lanka failed to recover from the battering received in just the fourth over of the match. Kusal Mendis, the last hope for the home-side also fell to Siraj in the 12th over. The rest of the batting was cleaned up by Hardik Pandya, who got a three-wicket haul in turn. Sri Lanka were effectively bowled out for 50 runs in 15.2 overs.
The Indian openers for this match, Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill, were able to chase the asked score of 51 in just 6.1 overs, attaining their eighth Asia Cup title.
Scores in brief:
India win by 10 wicket (263 balls remaining)
Sri Lanka: 50 all out in 15.2 overs (Kusal Mendis 17; Mohammed Siraj 6-21, Hardik Pandya 3-3)
India: 51-0 in 6.1 overs (Shubman Gill 27*, Ishan Kishan 23*)
Player of the match: Mohammed Siraj (India)
Player of the tournament: Kuldeep Yadav (India)
