'Overconfidence is always harmful for health'- Fans mock former Sri Lanka coach Mickey Arthur after Namibia stun island nation in T20 WC opener

Veteran coach Mickey Arthur had confidently predicted a T20 World Cup  2022 final clash between Asian rivals Sri Lanka and Pakistan this time around. He made this statement through his official Twitter handle after both sides competed in the summit clash of this year's Asia Cup where the island nation came out on top to win their sixth overall title. 

Can't wait for the start of the T20 World Cup.....going to be a very close one to call!
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka final 😉

— Mickey Arthur (@Mickeyarthurcr1) October 15, 2022

However, Arthur is now at the receiving end after Sri Lanka faced a humiliating 55-run loss in their T20 World Cup opener against Namibia at the Simonds Stadium in Geelong on Sunday, October 16. After the Namibians pulled off an upset over the reigning Asia Cup champions, twitterati mocked Mickey Arthur for his statement on Sri Lanka and Pakistan playing the finals on November 13.

Here are some of the reactions:

If not you will always be a Mickey 😜

— Rudra Das (@RudraPintu) October 16, 2022

This is not UAE 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/y5CTGGtwFk

— Sai Kiran (@sk_kiran16) October 16, 2022

Overconfidence is always harmful for health...

— Himanshu Kumar (@Proud101Indian) October 16, 2022

🤑🤑🤑🤑😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 Finalist He say 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

— Ankit (@Ankit18vk) October 16, 2022

When you drunk dont tweet anything 😅. They lost against thir class namabia and they are play final first they need to play school. Cricket 😅

— ms virat rohit (@msviratrohit) October 16, 2022

Mickey Arthur kal bolta Final would be between SLvPak. Inme se ek toh Namibia se haar re hai aaj💀💀. Asia cup do Namibia ko. #T20WC2022

— Aryannnnn (@gotchyuu) October 16, 2022

come on sir don't be jokar,trusting on two Untrustable teams ... one who won Asia cup through lucky toss favours throughout tournament and another side who lost 5/5 games against same team in last 5 meetups including Asia cup final uffff 🙈😉.

— Vamsi (@Kr17Vamsi) October 16, 2022

At the same time, even Arthur himself gave his commisserations to the Sri Lankan team after they were stunned by Namibia but stuck firmly with his prediction that the island nation will make it to the final.

Did not see that coming...well played Namibia!
Still keeping my prediction as Sri Lanka will still qualify I am sure!#ICCT20WorldCup2022 @OfficialSLC

— Mickey Arthur (@Mickeyarthurcr1) October 16, 2022

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka who were riding high on confidence after last month's memorable Asia Cup victory were given a harsh reality check in their T20 World Cup opening fixture by the Namibians. Batting first, Namibia posted a respectable total of 163/7, riding on a fighting knock from middle-order batter Jan Frylinck who scored a 28-ball 44. 

In reply, the Lankan batters struggled to cope up with the bouncy nature of the wicket as the Namibian bowlers chipped in with wickets at regular intervals. Only Bhanuka Rajapaksa (20) and skipper Dasun Shanaka (29) showed some resistance which in the end didn't prove to be enough as the 2014 champions were bowled out for 108 in the penultimate over.