Former Pakistan cricketer turned commentator Ramiz Raja was not at all pleased with Sri Lanka's performance against India in the Asia Cup 2023 final at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday (September 17). Raja reckoned the team could have at least given a fight before going down in the summit clash of the continental tournament. Pakistan had already bowed out of the tournament after losing to Sri Lanka and India in the Super Four stage of the competition.
"The conditions weren't unplayable. The Indian bowlers were fantastic, and the Sri Lankan batters played ridiculously. We have seen such a bowling performance in ODIs after a very long time. The Sri Lankan batters didn't learn from their mistakes. They didn't use their brain and it seemed as if they were eager to go back to the dressing room," Raja said in a video uploaded on on his YouTube channel.
"There couldn't have been a more ridiculous final than this, especially in modern-day cricket, where players know the conditions and the opposition very well. Sri Lanka played at home," he added.
"I haven't seen a home team get thrashed like this. If you get bowled out for 50 in your home territory after winning the toss, there's nothing to comment on. It is useless to comment on the final because it was like Harvard University was competing against Kindergarten," he further said.
Notably, Sri Lanka were completely outplayed and lost the match by 10 wickets. Even though they won the toss and opted to bat, they were blown away by the Indian pace attack led by Mohammed Siraj who finished with figures of 6/21. Hardik Pandya returned with 3/3 while Jasprit Bumrah picked up a wicket in the very first over of the match. Later, India chased down the target in 6.1 overs with all the 10 wickets in their kitty. Consequently, India clinched their eighth Asia Cup title.