Tajikistan lifted their first-ever title at continental level when they took the inaugural AFC Challenge Cup to Central Asia with a 4-0 thrashing of Sri Lanka in an anti-climax final at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Sunday.

Dzhormikhon Muhidinov scored a brace while Khurshed Makhmudov and Numondzhin Hakimov added one goal apiece before a 5,000-strong crowd as Tajikistan displayed superior skill and strength to take absolute control.

The final was played perhaps in the most soothing condition during the tournament following a light shower and Tajikistan got off to a dream start when Sri Lankan defender Sanjaya Pradeep Kumara's schoolboy-like fumble allowed them to take the lead just 50 seconds after kick-off.

Sanjaya lost possession inside the area and Ibraguim Rabimov snatched the ball but his low drive came off goalkeeper Sugath Thilakaratne, only to make way for a lurking Muhidinov tap the ball into an empty net.

Sri Lanka took some time to reassert and began to slice the rival defence down the flanks but their forwards were off the mark mostly. The South Asians earned a series of corners also failed penetrate the solid defence of goalkeeper Aslidin Khabibulloev, who won everything in the air.

It were the Tajik who got a golden chance to double the advantage on the half hour but Hakimov's low cross from the left ran harmlessly across the goal as Muhidinov and Yusuf Rabiev failed to connect.

Mohamed Izzadeen came close to equalise on the stroke of the first half but his header on a corner by captain Duddley Steinwall went inches over the post.

Tajikistan, however, doubled the lead in the 45th minute when Makhmudov dribbled past two defenders on the counter attack and put a low right-footer into Thilakaratne's near post inside from the penalty box.

Sri Lanka got adventurous after the break in bid to comeback in the game and left wide gaps at their defence, allowing the opposition to exploit the condition. Tajikistan kept the pressure and the Lankan defence went down like wheat beneath a scythe.

Striker Hakimov made it 3-0 in the 61st minute when he leaped above the rival backline to nod home a left-side freekick by Odil Irgashev while another combined move nine minutes later saw Muhidinov find the back of the net from close after Rabiev's magnificent manoeuvre at the right side.