‘Kusal Perera was unreal’- Kumar Sangakkara after Sri Lanka’s thunderous victory in Durban

16th February 2019, the day will be etched as a memorable day in the history of Sri Lankan cricket. Previously, they dropped Dinesh Chandimal and appointed Dimuth Karunaratne as their new captain. Bearing in mind, the Islanders’ recent form in all the formats, even the optimists wouldn’t have given the Islanders’ much of a chance in the two-match Test series against South Africa.

However, the Asian team soared above expectations and defeated Faf du Plessis and Co by one wicket at the Kingsmead in Durban. The encounter went into the second session of the fourth day and turned out to be a nail-biter. Going into the penultimate day, Sri Lanka needed 221 runs and had seven wickets in hand. They got the runs but also lost wickets at regular intervals.

Even as wickets were falling like ninepins, Kusal Perera didn’t lose his cool and composure by any stretch of the imagination. The southpaw marched on and notched a masterful century in a mere 146 balls. The visiting team lost its ninth wicket with 78 to get. Thereafter, Vishwa Fernando joined Perera in the middle. Their task wasn’t expected to be easy by any means.

Sangakkara over the moon

Nevertheless, Lanka didn’t throw in the towel and kept chipping away at the target. While Perera got the runs, Fernando staved off whatever came his way. The last-wicket stand eventually put on 78 runs and remained unbeaten. Perera remained not out on 153 from 200 balls to see his team through. After the victory, the cricketing fraternity heaped praises on them.

Former Sri Lankan batsman Kumar Sangakkara was all praise for Kusal and he also congratulated Lanka. He took to Twitter and wrote, “What an amazing win. One of the best if not THE best overseas win by @OfficialSLC Kusal Janith Perera was unreal. Congratulations to the team and @CHathurusinghe keep believing and keep fighting. If you compete for long enough the opportunities to win come your way,”

Here is Sangakkara’s tweet

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