At the stands inside R Premadasa Stadium, though, no one is ready to leave. As chants of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka' continue to reverberate around, for many, Sunday's final against India can't come any sooner.
There is something unmistakable that swells in from the stands along with the Papare soundtrack, grown from Sinhala Baila music: it's the sound of people falling in love again with the national cricket team, the single unifying force in a country that suffered through an economic turmoil in 2022.
As far as cricketing achievements go, Sunday's game will be special for India, who have beaten Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the group stages and are looking to win a multinational tournament ahead of the World Cup final. But for the Sri Lankans, the Asia cup has gone beyond mere victory and loss. During the final, India will be facing not just 11 players but a packed crowd of Sri Lankans bursting with love and gratitude for their national cricket team.
"This is our way of returning the favour," said Dayani, a working woman, who took a day off to celebrate at the stadium. "Let us say it is just a thanksgiving.
Denne historien er fra September 17, 2023-utgaven av Financial Express Mumbai.
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Denne historien er fra September 17, 2023-utgaven av Financial Express Mumbai.
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