Fans throng streets in large numbers as Sri Lankan team carries out massive Asia Cup victory parade - See pics

Sri Lankan cricket team received a hero's welcome after the players and the support staff arrived in the home country following their 6th Asia Cup title win. The Asia Cup 2022, which was set to take place in Sri Lanka, was shifted to the UAE due to the ongoing economic crisis in the country.

Sri Lanka remained the hosts but the tournament was held in the UAE. However, the Islanders made it sure that the trophy came back to Sri Lanka as they went on to win their sixth Asia Cup title owing to 5 consecutive wins. Sri Lanka, got off to a poor start losing to Afghanistan by 8 wickets in their opening fixture in the group stage. However, the Dasun Shanaka-led side came back strongly to beat Bangladesh, Afghanistan, India and Pakistan (twice) to clinch the continental cup.

As they arrived back home, the Sri Lankan team carried out a massive road show and the people thronged the streets in large numbers. After receiving a warm welcome from several authorities at the airport itself, the Sri Lankan team began a victory parade in Colombo. The parade started from Katunayake and went on till the Colombo Normal Road, with a few halts in between.

The parade which was carried out on an open double-decker bus gave the opportunity to the local fans to see their cricketing heroes live. The win has brought a lot of smiles and joy on the faces of the local citizens as the country has been going through a lot of turmoil and as Shanaka said after the final, it was their bit to do something for the country.

Sri Lanka, despite the Asia Cup win will play in the qualifiers of the T20 World Cup 2022 last year, after failing to be in the top 8 by the cut-off date in ICC rankings.