Bhanuka Rajapaksa leads Sri Lanka’s renaissance as they claim Asia Cup win over Pakistan

Bhanuka Rajapaksa: remember the name. For Sri Lankans, it is one that is impossible to forget. This time, though, it brought unbridled joy to a country craving it.

Sri Lanka are back on top of continental cricket. They returned to the winner’s circle at the Asia Cup for the first time since 2014 after stunning Pakistan with a 23-run win in Sunday night’s final in Dubai.

The last time they won it, their side boasted household names like Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Angelo Mathews, and Lasith Malinga.

In the time since, all those greats have ebbed away. The team have suffered whitewashes. Their cricket has been riven by corruption scandals, not to mention all the ordeals faced beyond sport.

Now, they have new heroes to celebrate. They have names like Pramod Madushan, Dasun Shanaka, Maheesh Theekshana and, of course, Rajapaksa. Not all as recognisable as those who went before, but champions, all.

Not that it seemed certain to be the case all the way through the final. First off, Pakistan won the toss. Then they started like a whirlwind.

Shaheen Afridi’s absence cast a pall over the start of this competition for Pakistan, but in truth his absence has just led to other stars being made.

A pace attack with him in would have been a cheat mode. As it is, Naseem Shah has had the chance to make a name for himself in the shortest format.

Not just as a fast bowler of substance. Nor even as an ice-cool finisher with bat. Rather he has taken Shaheen’s mantle as a first-over box-office smash.

This time around, he nearly prompted the Majlis-style roof to be lifted off Dubai International Stadium with the roar that his third ball elicited.

A 142kmh in-ducker obliterated Kusal Mendis’ stumps. It was acclaimed by some in the