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The emotional rollercoaster that was Pakistan’s Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka

The emotional rollercoaster that was Pakistan’s Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka

Chasing a 171-run target, the Green Shirts had us quaking with fear-mingled excitement.
11 Sep, 2022

Pakistan’s cricket team has paralleled the best of the best yet every time they take to the field, our hearts have a field day of their own. Struggling to keep up with the twists and turns, the Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka was another toughie for our internal systems.

With the toss favouring the Green Shirts, the game seemed like an easy win as the Sri Lankan players were bowled out one after the other. It was over a century worth of runs later when the game took a dip for the Pakistani team and things got heated up as they tried to stop the ball from crossing the boundaries. With a 171-run target hovering in the air, the initially excited fans became increasingly tense when captain Babar Azam was out around two overs in.

Despite a game that had our blood pressures going haywire, fans remained glued to their screens, hoping against hope for a turnaround. All of which was, of course, live tweeted. Though Sri Lanka won by 23 runs, one thing is for sure, it was an eventful match.

Shadab Khan garnered a lot of attention this game. Despite wicket-taking and playing through what netizens pointed out to be an ear-bleed, the player had some disappointing moments. His fans still supported him when he dropped a catch.

There was another drop when he clashed with Asif Ali. In his defence, he seemed as disappointed as us, if not more, over the mishap.

Fans came through to back him up against those who lashed out.

On the bright side, there was this meme-worthy moment that put a smile on our faces thanks to him.

Enter the second innings and exited all peace and calm.

Azam and Fakhar Zaman’s consecutive wickets didn’t help matters either.

Twitter users were ready to save this in the drafts, just in case.

All hopes were hooked onto Rizwan’s batting.

Meanwhile chacha had a surprise attack or two up his sleeve.

No matter the outcome, we’ll always have this literally smashing wicket by Haris Rauf.

Has your heart rate settled or are you still recovering from the match like us?

Comments

Sheraz Ali Rizvi l Sep 11, 2022 11:01pm
Real selfish inning from Rizwan putting too much pressure on coming batters.
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JND Sep 11, 2022 11:01pm
Pakistan all out for the 3rd time I think in this Asia cup. Wonderful achievement.
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Sep 11, 2022 11:02pm
Please remember and always adhere to the centuries old axiom in the gentleman's game of cricket, "catches win matches."
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Taj Ahmad Sep 11, 2022 11:03pm
Well played Sri Lanka, Congrats to entire SL team. For Pakistan… Babar, Rizwan, Fakhar, Asif Ali are responsible for Pakistan’s lost. We need Sarfraz back as captain for T20 and ODI now.
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Uyghyr ahmadi Sep 11, 2022 11:09pm
Best team won!
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Tanvir Khan Sep 11, 2022 11:13pm
Congratulations Sri Lanka... Your win is 100% very honestly earned!
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NACParis Sep 11, 2022 11:18pm
Congratulation to Sri Lanka for winning the cup. Pakistan dropped catches, and Sri Lanka took the catches. Pakistan played like an amateur while the winner played like a professional.
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nouman Sep 11, 2022 11:24pm
Well done Sri Lanka, until next time.
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Joe Sep 11, 2022 11:31pm
In T20 even Kenya could win their match again the best in world ,of it is their day. Well played Sri Lanka.
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Syed A. Mateen Sep 11, 2022 11:34pm
In any game one win and the other lose. Good luck to Pakistani Cricket Team for next time.
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Daredevil Sep 11, 2022 11:34pm
No matter what, we would still cherish the moment that we made it to the finals through the team's hard work, gut and talent. We would still love our team. They are still our champs. Come home safe.
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Junaid Sep 11, 2022 11:57pm
So, Sri Lanka at 58-5 to 170 runs? Something terribly went South with the Pak team including dropped catches. Anyway, Congrats Team SL!
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Ahmed naseem Sep 12, 2022 12:07am
Sri Lanka would have never thought in her dreams that they will beat Pakistan. Wonders may happen once in a lifetime. Congratulations Sri Lanka
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Javid Shirazi Sep 12, 2022 12:09am
Better team won.
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K K TIWARI Sep 12, 2022 12:10am
Slow and steady wins race not erratic one
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Ismail Chap Sep 12, 2022 01:35am
They did not win but I believe that they were the best team without doubt
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Simba Sep 12, 2022 01:39am
Thrashed and deservedly so. The last 5 overs was a nightmare.
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Dr Ahmad - Melbourne Sep 12, 2022 02:02am
…..as expected, melted in pressure game; no hope of this team performing any good in T20 World Cup in Australia.
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Chirag Sep 12, 2022 02:05am
So far Pakistan won only 2 times Asia cup final. Drought not end yet.
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M. Emad Sep 12, 2022 02:44am
DEFEATED, Weak Pakistan cricket team.
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Zak Sep 12, 2022 02:56am
Struggling to keep up with the twists and turns, the Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka was another toughie for our internal systems. Always critical, never supportive, what kind of media do we have. More against our interest then for us.
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Dr Ahmad - Melbourne Sep 12, 2022 03:16am
……over rated team, in reality just average in performance. Real test will be T20 World Cup in Australia……
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Jo Original Sep 12, 2022 04:30am
Pakistan became arrogant and became complacent. Congratulations Sri Lanka - deserved champions of Asia.
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Ibrahim S Sep 12, 2022 05:54am
What more heart breaking , losing cricket match or seeing poor people living in flood water, hungry and homeless . Does our responsibility end with few rupee slush fund .
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Hatim Adamjee Sep 12, 2022 06:08am
Body Language said it all. Fielding was hopeless with drop catches and awful display of Batting by the middle order which went down like a pack of crumbling cards. Shame on you all.
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Multani Sep 12, 2022 06:21am
Give the best in your game, that is all that matters.
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TPA Sep 12, 2022 06:34am
Sri Lanka is a super team.
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ABCD Sep 12, 2022 06:46am
Cool guys. Sadab handed oveer Hobg Kong to flood victims, now he handed over flood victims to Sri Lanka.
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FAZ Sep 12, 2022 06:47am
It was always Sirilanka on top. Specially when 170 was setup thanks to Shadab.
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Ashraf P Sep 12, 2022 07:01am
Rizwan thought it was a 50-over game.
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Uyghyr ahmadi Sep 12, 2022 07:28am
Both recent lost matches were also dedicated to the flood victims right?
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Zaidhaq Sep 12, 2022 07:36am
The winner of this game is entitled to IMF loan
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Imtiaz Ali Khan Sep 12, 2022 07:54am
Congratulations to Sri Lanka great people and great team!! Love to Sri Lanka from Pakistan. Good luck Pakistan, Sri Lanka was a better team today they deserved the victory.
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Blah Sep 12, 2022 09:06am
Sweet!
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Alok Sep 12, 2022 10:46am
@Ahmed naseem how come? They beat Pakistan in 2 games, and India in 1 game. So we should not discredit the SriLanka team
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Alok Sep 12, 2022 10:47am
@M. Emad Weak team do not reach the final.. respect your team
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Bhaijani Sep 12, 2022 11:02am
Only finest and fabulous fielding got them victorious in Final.
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Gary Sep 12, 2022 11:40am
@M. Emad Bangladesh team was worse.
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Pakistan Zindabad Sep 12, 2022 11:42am
We are never good enough. Average bowling and one hit wonder batting
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S G Sep 12, 2022 12:19pm
@Ahmed naseem but it happened twice, I think you were sleeping
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Love Your Country Sep 12, 2022 12:24pm
@FAZ - basic fielding mistakes can't be explained.
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Love Your Country Sep 12, 2022 12:25pm
@M. Emad - mentally we thought we had won the game before it began.
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