With the conditions in the country improving since the economic and political crisis, the excitement and buzz this time around in Sri Lanka is entirely different, especially since this comes after the country has undergone such a tough period and is putting smiles on the faces of the fans coming in to see all the action on the field.
Spinner Karthik Meiyappan's hat-trick went in vain as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) sunk to a 79-run defeat against Sri Lanka in their Group A round one match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2022.
Having defeated Pakistan by a margin of 23 runs, Sri Lanka won the cup for the sixth time in the history of the Asia Cup; their first however since 2014.
A brilliant half-century from Bhanuka Rajapaksa and fiery spells from spinner Wanindu Hasaranga and pacer Pramod Madushan helped Sri Lanka lift its sixth Asia Cup title, defeating Pakistan by 24 runs in the final in Dubai on Sunday
Mohammad Nabi-led Afghanistan outplayed Sri Lanka in all three departments of the game to register an eight-wicket victory in the opening game of the Asia Cup 2022 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.