7.7.2008

Scorecard
(Courtesy of cricinfo)

‘Mystery Man’ Ajantha Mendis, cricket’s latest spinning sensation, returned fantastic figures of 6 for 13 off just 8 overs to help Sri Lanka to a comprehensive 100 run win over India in the Asia Cup final in Karachi, Pakistan today (July 6).

Sri Lanka survived an early batting collapse after Mehendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and put them in and were struggling at one point on 66 for the loss of 4 wickets. The ever-green Sanath, with a blistering century (his second in the tournament), supported by Tillakaratne Dilshan (56) and some late flourish from Nuwan Kulasekera (29) saw Sri Lanka reach 273, which was well within the Indians who possessed a strong batting line up.

Virendra Sehwag, who scored a brisk 60 (off just 36 deliveries) got into off to a good start but the run-chase went awry once Ajantha Mendia was introduced in the 10th over. Mendis had Sehwag stumped off his second ball and two deliveries later bowled Yuvraj Singh to but the brakes on the Indians.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni scored a valiant 49 but this was not going to be his day, India folding up 100 runs short in the 40th over.