T20 World Cup 2021: Match 15, Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka – 10 best memes of the match

Blazing half-centuries from Charith Asalanka (unbeaten 80 off 49) and Bhanuka Rajapaksa (53 off 31) helped Sri Lanka chase 172 against Bangladesh in Sharjah on October 24. The Lankan Lions were rocked early in the chase, with Kusal Perera cleaned up cheaply.

A 69-run second-wicket stand between Pathum Nissanka and Asalanka did well to force them back into the game but a double-wicket over from Shakib Al Hasan where he removed both Nissanka and Avishka Fernando in a space of three balls, followed by Mohammad Saifuddin’s strike to dismiss Wanindu Hasaranga suddenly change the landscape of the game, with Sri Lanka going down to 79/4 from 71/1 in no time.

In a nascent career, Asalanka showed his ability to absorb pressure again, as he smacked five fours and as many sixes alongside Rajapaksa, with whom he added a match-winning 86-run stand for the fifth wicket in just 52 balls. Nasum Ahmed cut Rajapaske’s stay short but by then a Sri Lankan win had become a surety. Shakib and Ahmed claimed two each while Saifuddin return with one.

Earlier, Bangladesh were powered to a competitive total on the back of Mohammad Naim’s 52-ball 62 and Mushfiqur Rahim’s 37-ball 57. Bangladesh made a rapid start with both openers adding 40 before Lahiru Kumara struck in the powerplay to have Liton Das caught at mid-off for a run-a-ball 16. Shakib was undone soon by Chamika Karunratne, knocked over for 10, before a 73-run stand for the third wicket between Naim and Rahim infused back momentum in their innings. All amongst Karunaratne, Binura Fernando and Kumara returned with a wicket each.

“Not the easiest target to chase. It’s all about boundaries. Once the batsman gets set, any target is chaseable. Really important to win the first game. They batted really well. Those knocks are brilliant (Asalanka and Rajapaksa)”, Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka said of his team’s win after the match.

“ Batters did a great job. Liton and Naim gave us a very good start. Naim played a brilliant innings to hold the innings together. Mushy played a brilliant innings. We lost a few chances. Would like to correct those things in the next game. Watching last few games here, we felt extra spinner was a good option. We missed a couple of chances – would’ve been a different story. Hopefully we can put up a good game against them (England),” Bangladesh skipper Mahmuduallah said.

Here are the best memes from the match: