Watch: Shoaib Bashir pulls off outstanding catch to dismiss Kusal Mendis in 3rd Test

Sri Lanka suffered a massive blow in the crucial juncture of the ongoing third and final Test against England at the Kennington Oval in London. Gus Atkinson handed the Islanders a massive blow in the form of the well-set Kusal Mendis, all thanks to Shoaib Bashir’s mind-blowing fielding on Day 4.

Chasing 219 runs for victory in the third Test, Sri Lanka had a poor start, losing their senior opener Dimuth Karunaratne for just 8 runs off 21 balls against England. But then, Pathum Nissanka and Mendis were strongly leading the charge for the Sri Lanka cricket team against the hosts at the Kennington Oval.

Shoaib Bashir's spectacular catch turns the game in favor of England as Kusal Mendis departs

Nissanka and Kusal Mendis formed a 69-run partnership and were looking dangerous for the England cricket team, but Atkinson had a different plan, and the pacer got success in the third ball of the 19th over on Day 4 of the ongoing third and final Test at the Kennington Oval.

However, it was the England spinner Shoaib Bashir, who won all the acclaim for taking the stunning catch of Kusal Mendis in the crucial phase of the game. It was a really crucial wicket for England, and commentators were just in awe with the way Shoaib Bashir completed the stunner on Monday.

Kusal Mendis fell to a spectacular catch by Bashir, turning the game in England's favor. Atkinson delivered a short ball aimed at the middle leg, and the Sri Lankan batter, reacting on instinct, attempted a pull without keeping it grounded. The ball flew swiftly toward the long leg, where Bashir came to life.

With lightning reflexes, the young spinner sprinted a few steps, then launched himself in a full-stretch dive to his left. With his outstretched hands, Bashir crashed into the ground, maintaining a firm grip to complete the outstanding catch. It was a moment of brilliance, as Bashir provided England with a much-needed breakthrough against Sri Lanka.

Mendis, who looked dangerous with his 39 off 37 balls, including seven boundaries, was sent packing. Sri Lanka now finds itself in a bit of trouble, as they still need 90 runs to win the game with eight wickets in hand against England at the Kennington Oval.

Watch here Shoaib Bashir’s wonderful efforts to dismiss Kusal Mendis:

WHAT. A. CATCH!

Take a bow, Shoaib Bashir 😱 pic.twitter.com/FbGeZMwXMo

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 9, 2024

Earlier in the match, apart from Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, and Jamie Smith, no other England batter could tackle Sri Lanka’s stunning bowling attack. England managed to post 325 runs in the first innings, thanks to Duckett’s fifty and Pope’s 154-run knock, but in the second innings, they were restricted to 156 runs by Sri Lanka, with Smith being the top scorer with 67 runs.

To save the pride, every Sri Lanka bowler stepped up and delivered for the team. Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, and Milan Rathnayake starred with the ball for the Islanders against England in the ongoing third and final Test. However, the hosts have already sealed the Test series by winning the first two games against Sri Lanka at home.