Sri Lanka registered an emphatic six-wicket win in a pulsating Super Fours stage match against India on September 6 (Tuesday) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai. The Lankan Lions finished the job with just one ball to spare and by securing the victory, Dasun Shanaka's side almost finished the Men in Blue's hopes of extending their Asia Cup trophy count to eight.
After pulling off a sensational win, left-handed batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa, who played a handy knock of 17 not out and forged a match-winning partnership with his skipper Shanaka, reflected on his team's victory after the game.
"After the statements we have made (by beating India), we are not underdogs anymore. We have proved that. We were the underdogs from the time we came to the UAE. We all know how good Pakistan and India are good on their day. All we wanted was to prove a point to the world. Especially to our nation. With all the crisis, this is the only thing we could do to bring a smile to their faces," Rajapaksa said in the post-match press conference.
After a shocking start to the tournament (bowled out for 105 against Afghanistan), Sri Lanka have stitched together three solid performances. The Lankan Lions have mastered three back-to-back run chases and Rajapaksa also shed light on the importance of winning the toss in UAE conditions.
"UAE has a record of chasing and winning in the night games. 95% of teams chasing wins. I won’t say it got easier but the start gave us momentum. We kept on with the run rate that’s why it became easier," he opined.
Sri Lanka, who have won the continental title five times, are now just two steps away from reclaiming the continental supremacy and the Rajapaksa is 'confident' in his team's chances of accomplishing the goal.
"We want to win the title. We are pretty confident, we are backing our team .. if a couple of players come to form, we have a good chance of clinching the title," the southpaw added.
