After Sri Lanka had been bowled out for 105 in their first game of Asia Cup 2022, against Afghanistan, Bhanuka Rajapaksa said that it was a shameful performance.
From thereon, however, Sri Lanka picked up on a spirited run which saw them defeat Bangladesh, Afghanistan, India and Pakistan to enter the Asia Cup 2022 final, their chance to win the trophy since 2014. Rajapaksa contributed with scores of 31, 25* and 24 in the last three matches.
However, on Sunday in the final against Pakistan in Dubai, Sri Lanka once again were staring down at being bowled out for a below-par score when they were reduced to 58/5 in 9 overs. This time, though, not only did Rajapaksa bail them out of trouble but also powered them to a par total of 170.
Bhanuka Rajapaksa carries Sri Lanka innings in the final
The burly left-hander smoked 6 fours and 3 sixes in his entertaining innings to finish with 71* off 45 balls, and shared a crucial, match-turning stands of 58 (36) with Hasaranga, who scored 36 off 21, and after that of 54 (31) with Karunaratne, who held his end with a run-a-ball 14.
Such was the fear of Rajapaksa’s powerful muscle and his six-hitting prowess that Babar Azam didn’t bowl an in-form left-arm spinner in Mohammad Nawaz to Rajapaksa despite the presence of a right-hander – Hasaranga – at one end.
At the 10-over mark, Sri Lanka were 67/5; in the next 10 overs, they walloped 103 runs for the loss of only Hasaranga’s wicket. It was a stunning exhibition of power-hitting from Rajapaksa, and some delicate and smartly placed shots from Hasaranga that allowed the Lankans to first remain alive and also come back in the game.
Fans on Twitter went crazy looking at this marvellous assault from Bhanuka Rajapaksa leaving them gobsmacked even though they had seen similar batting from the southpaw in the IPL 2022 for Punjab Kings.
Here are some of the best reactions to Bhanuka Rajapaksa’s astonishing knock in the final:
After 57-5, getting to 170 what you call a great comeback.
Rajapaksa, what a knock.— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) September 11, 2022
First 10 overs – 67/5
Last 10 overs – 103/1Take a bow Bhanuka Rajapaksa, you played a sensible yet so entertaining innings. Go for early wickets. Go Lanka Go. #PAKvsSL pic.twitter.com/TIk3ZjjjDi
— Amit Mishra (@MishiAmit) September 11, 2022
Rajapaksa has been brilliant for Sri Lanka 🙌🏼
This is a cricket related tweet 🏏🤓#AsiaCup— Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur) September 11, 2022
Rajapaksa is best Srilankan batsman for me, I have seen him play before and he can be very dangerous, gotta get his wicket soon
— Ahsaan Elahi (@Its_Ahsaan) September 11, 2022
To think that Rajapaksa also keeps, and being a leftie, along with the skills he has, and doing this at probably the big stage, makes him a brilliant asset in a T20 XI.
— BALAJI (@deep_extracover) September 11, 2022
Rajapaksa with an innings to remember. Yes he had luck, a couple of drops, a close LBW shout but some of the shots he played were just insane. His finesse game vs spin first, then the power-game vs pacers. Such a delightful player to watch.
— Rehan Ulhaq (@Rehan_ulhaq) September 11, 2022
Players with 40+ Avg and 140+ SR batting at No.5 or lower in #AsiaCup2022:
Bhanuka Rajapaksa
——End of List———-#SLvPAK
— Prasenjit Dey (@CricPrasen) September 11, 2022
Rajapaksa has a decent case to win the Player of the Tournament award
38(29) v Afg – Top scorer
31(14) v Afg at no 6 while chasing
25(17) v Ind when SL lost 4 quick wkts
24(19) v Pak when SL were 29-3
71*(45) in Final when SL were 36-3191 runs at 149 Sr batting at 5 & 6
— Prithvi (@Puneite_) September 11, 2022
To think that Bhanuka Rajapaksa had retired earlier this year because he wasn’t meeting the fitness standards of the Sri Lanka cricket team (his body fat was higher than usual).
Thankfully, better sense prevailed and he took back his retirement within 10 days.
— Gurkirat Singh Gill (@gurkiratsgill) September 11, 2022
Bhanuka Rajapaksa What a 💎 No Words he is just Mind blowing. Incredible Knock 71 runs in 45 Balls Including 6 Fours and 3 Sixes with a Fabulous Strike rate OF 157.8. #PAKvsSL pic.twitter.com/PobYFBdgVh
— Ayush Ranjan (@AyushRaGenius) September 11, 2022
What a player, Bazooka ‘Fitness Test’ Rajapaksa
— Dave (@CricketDave27) September 11, 2022
