Sri Lanka, going through one of the most torrid times in their history as a nation, emerging as the 2022 Asia Cup champions.
But against all odds, Dasun Shanaka and co. played a very brave brand of T20 cricket to clinch the island nation's 6th Asia Cup title and deliver a sense of joy and relief to a crisis-hit nation.
The loss in their Asia Cup opener was their only defeat in the tournament this time, with the Lankans registering an epic turnaround, winning 5 straight games after the defeat to Afghanistan to go all the way in the 2022 edition of the tournament, which was only the second time that the Asia Cup was played in the T20I format. (AFP Photo)While the Lankans started off as dark horses at best, defending champions India were clear favourites to at least make it to the final.
Rohit Sarma and co. however looked out of sorts throughout the tournament and bowed out after losing 2 out of their three matches in the Super 4s stage.