Sri Lanka clinches Asia Cup title dethroning Pakistan

Sri Lanka clinched their 5th Asia Cup title with an all-win record dethroning unpredictable Pakistan by five wickets in the final of the five-nation meet at the their happy hunting ground — Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium at Mirpur — on Saturday. Earlier, a devastating five–wicket haul by fast bowler Lasith Malinga restricted Pakistan at 260 for 5, and a brilliant century by opener Lahiru Thirimanne helped Sri Lanka reach their long cherished target scoring the match-winner 261 for 5 in 46.2 overs. Later, Lasith Malinga was adjudged man of the match while Lahiru Thirimanne man of the series. With the day’s deserving victory, the Islanders  not only found their rhythm in the continental cricket after five years with 5th consecutive victory in Asia Cup and the eight successive win in Mirpur Stadium, but also touched the Indian glory of five-time champions, since its inception in 1984. Sri Lanka, which finished runners-up in the inaugural Asia Cup in the UAE in 1984, won the Asia Cup crown for four times in 1986, 1997, 2004, 2008 and finished runners-up on six occasions, according to a news agency.