Memes galore as Sri Lankan players mock Bangladesh with Nagin dance after sealing Super 4 berth

Sri Lanka defeated Bangladesh by two wickets in the fifth match of the Asia Cup 2022 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 1, Thursday. It was a do-or-die game for both teams but it was the Sri Lankans who held their nerves and emerged victorious to qualify for Super 4. Bangladesh, on the other hand, are out of the tournament with two losses in two games.

Earlier in the game, Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka had won the toss and put Bangladesh to bat first. Shakib Al Hasan’s men came out with all guns blazing, and opening batter Mehidy Hasan Miraz departed with a valuable contribution of 38 off 26 balls. At the end of the six-over powerplay, Bangladesh were on 55 for the loss of one wicket.

After slight hiccups in the middle phase, losing four wickets within 11 overs, late contributions from Mahmudullah, who scored 27 runs off 22 balls, and Afif Hossain, who scored 39 runs off 22 balls, brought Bangladesh well on track. But it was an explosive unbeaten cameo of 24 runs off nine balls from Mosaddek Hossain that took his side to a strong total of 183 in 20 overs. The pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers was spinner Maheesh Theekshana, who finished with one wicket for 23 runs in four overs.

Asitha Fernando wins it for Sri Lanka in last over

Sri Lanka, with a stiff challenge ahead, started off strongly, quite like their counterparts, and came out with intent and aggression. Opener Kusal Mendis laid the foundation with an explosive knock of 60 runs off 37 balls with four fours and three sixes. However, they had to settle for 48 runs in the first six overs after losing two wickets.

The game looked to get out of Sri Lanka’s grasp at one point. But it was skipper Shanaka who pulled the strings for his side again, scoring 45 runs off 33 balls. It came right down to the wire, with the Sri Lankans needing eight runs off the last over with two wickets in hand. Number 10 batter Asitha Fernando, who had a tough day with the ball, delivered with a match-winning cameo, scoring unbeaten 10 runs off three balls. And tragically for Bangladesh, it was a no-ball from Mahedi Hasan that teed off the game.

It seems like Bangladesh’s ‘Nagin dance’ celebration after their victory over Sri Lanka in the 2018 Nidahas Trophy is still fresh in the memories of Sri Lankan players and fans as some of the Sri Lankan players and fans in the stands were spotted giving it back with similar celebrations after their win on Thursday.

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