This was a series which, for the first time, had a different favourite other than India or Pakistan; Sri Lanka. They were the reigning World Cup champions, they were playing at home and they had a good record in the Asia Cup. Would it all translate into a tournament triumph for Arjuna Ranatunga's men?

Sri Lanka beat Pakistan in the first match of the tournament as Sanath Jayasuriya, the latest sensation in World Cricket, with his all-round effort helped Sri Lanka defend a decent total of 239. When they also beat India in their next match, an exciting win-to-play-the-final was on the offing between India and Pakistan. The whole cricketing world was expectant of a no-holds-barred battle between the traditional rivals.

The weather gods were possibly the only ones who couldn't care less for the showpiece event of the tournament. No sooner had Venkatesh Prasad's incisive 4-wicket burst on a damp Colombo wicket stunned the Pakistanis that it rained and literally and figuratively dampened the tense atmosphere. Such was its fury that even a reserve day could not save the game, and Bangladesh again played a key role in the selection of the finalist to play against Sri Lanka.

With a better run-rate, India entered the finals. But they lost. The results in the tournament stayed true to the form book and the Sri Lankans were deserved winners of the Asia Cup. For the record, India scored 239 with Mohammed Azharuddin and a young Rahul Dravid with significant contributions. But when Jayasuriya launched a blistering attack, India certainly would have preferred the rain gods' fury to his.