Twitter Reactions: Sri Lanka defend 147 to inflict a whitewash on Pakistan in Lahore

The second-grade side of a world number eight team managed to enter the home turf of the world number one side and whitewashed them with disdain. Among the many iconic performances Sri Lankan cricket produced, this is one that will enlighten them and give them hope for a brighter future.

For the third consecutive time in the series, Sri Lanka batted first and Sadeera Samarawickrama was replacing young-gun Avishka Fernando. The openers failed to get their side off to a good start as Mohammad Amir first cleaned up the stumps of Gunathilaka before Imad Wasim trapped Samarawickrama in front of the stumps.

Bhanuka Rajapaksa, who has had a decent outing in the T20I series thus far, was dismissed early as well, ensuring the visiting side had lost three wickets before the field restriction overs were completed. It was a great opportunity for Oshada Fernando to show his worth at the big stage and the 27-year-old did so with a sublime knock.

Despite getting no support from the other end, he battled on and completed a brilliant half-century. He finished with a 48-ball 78 and remained unbeaten as Sri Lanka posted 147 runs batting first for the loss of seven scalps. Mohammad Amir returned with an impressive 3/27 for the hosts.

Another poor batting rendition from the men in green

Kasun Rajitha got Sri Lanka a very early breakthrough, dismissing Fakhar Zaman off the very first ball of the innings. Haris Sohail, who replaced Umar Akmal in the side, batted alongside Babar Azam for a while to consolidate Pakistan’s position. The duo couldn’t get the tempo going and the scoring rate too was on the lower side.

Despite adding 76 runs for the second wicket, there was no promise in the partnership and it ended with Babar Azam throwing it away off Lahiru Kumara. Shortly after Sohail completed his fifty, Wanindu Hasaranga’s double-strike pretty much confirmed the white-wash for the Lankans. He dismissed Sohail and Sarfaraz Ahmed in quick succession, putting the hosts in dire trouble.

There was some late blitz from Iftikar Ahmed and Wahab Riaz, but Pakistan were short of their target by 13 runs. Wanindu Hasaranga chipped in with a magical spell, picking up three wickets and giving away just 21 runs in his 4 overs.

Here’s how Twitter reacted: