‘Pta chala kyun hain hum defending champion?’ – Fans react as Sri Lanka brush aside Bangladesh by five wickets in Asia Cup 2023

In the second game of the ongoing Asia Cup 2023, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh locked horns in Pallekele. Ahead of the game, it was anticipated as it being a ‘Naagin Rivalry’. However, in the pre-match presser, Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka was quite calm, unlike last time. Meanwhile, in the game, the Tigers, Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bat first.

However, Lanka spinners, Dhananjaya de Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, and Matheesha Pathirana took one wicket each inside the first 11 overs. At 36/3, the likes of Najmul Hasan Shanto and Towhid Hridoy put together 59 runs. The partnership was ended by Lanka skipper Dasun Shananka as he trapped Hridoy for lbw. After this, not much went right for the three-time finalists. Despite Shanto’s 89, the team was bowled out for 164 runs with Pathirana picking four wickets.

Sri Lanka chased down the target easily despite losing early wickets

With a low total to defend, the Green Brigade needed to get regular wickets to remain in the game. Inside the powerplay, the home side lost their top three batters with 43 runs on the board. At this point, the likes of Sadeera Samaravickrama and Charitha Asalanka put together 78 runs for the fourth wicket.

This partnership put the defending champions ahead in the game. Both batters ended up getting half-centuries with Asalanka staying not out till the end. Despite losing two more wickets in the end stages of the game, they chased down the target with five wickets left. Now, the Lions need to win against Afghanistan too to reach the Super Four round. On the other hand, Bangladesh needs to beat Afghanistan and also improve its NRR.

If Afghanistan turns over the Shakib Al Hasan-led side, the tournament will be over for the Green Brigade. Meanwhile, the tournament will have an off day on September 1 as India and Pakistan will lock horns a day later. However, this game is threatened by rain as of now.

This is how Twitter reacted

https://twitter.com/muzammal_5yed/status/1697285312832315497?s=20