Sri Lanka have been crowned Asia Cup champions for the fourth time thanks to a Sanath Jayasuriya century and an incredible spell of bowling by Ajantha Mendis.
Jayasuriya dragged his side through their innings, scoring 125 from 119 balls, including 26 from one over, while young spinner Mendis ripped through India’s middle-order taking 6-13.
After MS Dhoni had won the toss and elected to field at the National Stadium in Karachi, eyebrows were raised, but his decision looked to be vindicated as Sri Lanka struggled on a flat pitch, posting a seemingly modest 273.
Indeed, when Virender Sehwag smashed 60 from just 36 balls, including the fastest fifty in Asia Cup history (from only 26 balls) India looked to be coasting towards their target.
But Mendis produced three stunning spells of unorthodox spin bowling to bring Sri Lanka back into the match, and to eventual victory, clean bowling the dangerous duo of Yuvraj Singh (0) and Suresh Raina (16) and having Sehwag stumped.
MS Dhoni battled doggedly for his 49, with support from Robin Uthappa, 20, but the damage had been done by Mendis and India could never recover.
Muttiah Muralitharan and KM Kulasekara bowled economically, each yielding figures of 1-26, while Chaminda Vaas returned after being attacked relentlessly by Sehwag in his first spell, to take two late and crucial wickets.
Jayasuriya dragged his side through their innings, scoring 125 from 119 balls, including 26 from one over, while young spinner Mendis ripped through India’s middle-order taking 6-13.
After MS Dhoni had won the toss and elected to field at the National Stadium in Karachi, eyebrows were raised, but his decision looked to be vindicated as Sri Lanka struggled on a flat pitch, posting a seemingly modest 273.
Indeed, when Virender Sehwag smashed 60 from just 36 balls, including the fastest fifty in Asia Cup history (from only 26 balls) India looked to be coasting towards their target.
But Mendis produced three stunning spells of unorthodox spin bowling to bring Sri Lanka back into the match, and to eventual victory, clean bowling the dangerous duo of Yuvraj Singh (0) and Suresh Raina (16) and having Sehwag stumped.
MS Dhoni battled doggedly for his 49, with support from Robin Uthappa, 20, but the damage had been done by Mendis and India could never recover.
Muttiah Muralitharan and KM Kulasekara bowled economically, each yielding figures of 1-26, while Chaminda Vaas returned after being attacked relentlessly by Sehwag in his first spell, to take two late and crucial wickets.
