Asia Cup 2022: Sri Lanka's Maheesh Theekshana Hits Back At BCB Director, Says "No Need To Have World-Class Players"
Published - 02 Sep 2022, 06:31 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 09:09 AM

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Sri Lanka scripted a nail-biting victory over Bangladesh last night to ensure their qualification in the Super Fours of the Asia Cup 2022. Following the victory, Lankan spinner Maheesh Theekshana came up with a funny dig at Bangladesh team director Khaled Mehmud over his world-class players’ jibe.
Ahead of the game against Sri Lanka, Bangladesh’s team director didn’t mince his words as he claimed that Sri Lanka have “no quality bowlers” at all.

Maheesh Theekshana Takes A Jibe At Khaled Mahmud
After Sri Lanka’s win over Bangladesh in a nail-biting thriller, Maheesh Theekshana, the 22-year-old took to Twitter and wrote, “No need to have world-class players, when you have 11 brothers.”
No need to have world class players, when you have 11 brothers ❤️ pic.twitter.com/H0rYESlF6i
— Maheesh Theekshana (@maheesht61) September 2, 2022
Sri Lanka win in last over thriller
Chasing a target of 184, Sri Lanka registered a win in a final-over thriller. It was an anti-climax in the last over when off-spinner Mahedi Hasan overstepped while bowling the third delivery bringing down curtains on the game.
Although Kusal Mendis (60 off 37 balls) and skipper Dasun Shanaka (45 off 33 balls) set up the platform for victory, it wouldn’t have been possible without the heroics of Fernando. Debutant Fernando hit the last ball of the penultimate over by Ebadot Hossain for a boundary to bring the equation down to eight runs in one over.

With Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan having already bowled out Mustafizur Rahaman’s quota of overs, he had no option but to hand over the decisive final to the inexperienced Mahedi Hasan. Fernando made the most of the opportunity as he slog-swept MahEdi’s second delivery to seal the fate of the game, which could have otherwise belonged to Ebadot.
Sri Lankans celebrated the win by doing the ‘Nagin Dance’ patented by the Bangladeshi cricketers as the pre-match build-up has been anything but sober.
Sri Lanka face Afghanistan in their first Super Fours fixture
The Islanders play their first match in the Super Fours tomorrow, where they will take on Afghanistan. Earlier in the tournament, Afghanistan defeated Sri Lanka by eight wickets. The Lankans will have a task cut out and will be eager to avenge the loss when the teams lock horns.

Sri Lanka have not qualified for an Asia Cup Final since 2014. However, they have a strong and motivated squad this year which can beat any top team on their day.