ICC World Cup 2019: Twitter Reacts as Sri Lanka Beats Afghanistan by 34 Runs

Sri Lanka defeated Afghanistan by 34 (DLS method) in the seventh match of the ICC World Cup 2019 on Tuesday. Sri Lanka was skittled out for 201 runs after Afghanistan skipper Gulbadin Naib won the toss and decided to put the opposition in. Afghanistan was set a revised target of 187 runs after rain intervention. The Afghan team got off to a flyer with Hazratullah Zazai taking on the Sri Lankan bowlers. However, Mohammed Shahzad wicket led to the opening of floodgates.

Read More: ICC World Cup 2019: Match 9, Bangladesh vs New Zealand – Bangladesh Predicted Playing XI

In fact, Zazai had the rub of the green when he was dropped by Kusal Mendis off the bowling of Lasith Malinga. However, Malinga got the wicket of Mohammed Shahzad in the same over when Dimuth Karunaratne took a good low catch. Furthermore, Zazai could not make the most of the reprieve as he was caught brilliantly by Thisara Perera at deep fine leg when the southpaw batsman could not find the gap.

Low Scoring thriller.

Rahmat Shah was soon dismissed by Isuru Udana when the right-hander got an outside edge which was taken by Angelo Matthews at first slip. Thisara Perera bowled a peach of a delivery to dismiss Mohammed Nabi as the ball came back into the right-hander to hit the top of off-stump.

Nuwan Pradeep bowled with fire for Sri Lanka as the right-hander scalped four wickets in his spell. In fact, Sri Lanka played with an all-seam up bowling attack and it was a great selection decision on the green deck.

Afghanistan’s hopes ended when Najibullah Zadran who scored 43 was run out from the direct hit of Dimuth Karunaratne.

Earlier, Sri Lanka went down like a pack of cards in their batting innings. The Island nation was going strong at 144-1, however, a collapse saw them bundle out for 201 runs. Mohammed Nabi scalped three wickets in the 22nd over to turn the match on its head. Sri Lanka kept losing wickets at regular intervals and Nabi scalped four wickets.

Read More: ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 (Match 7): Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka – Statistical Highlights

Kusal Perera top-scored for Sri Lanka as he scored a fine knock of 78 runs from 81 balls. However, Perera didn’t receive support from the other end.

Here is how Twitter reacted:

Well done boys!!! room for improvment but showed under presure that we do have quality. Bowling unit was excellent and Nuwan pradeep was outstanding today..? points on the board ?

— Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) June 4, 2019

Phew…… #CW2019 #SLvAFG

— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) June 4, 2019

https://twitter.com/Vitu_E/status/1135971965016186880

Sensational win Sri Lanka. Brilliant comeback. Never gave up. Cricket unites Sri Lankans like no other. #SLvAFG #LionsRoar

— Daniel Alexander (@daniel86cricket) June 4, 2019

Sri Lankan seamers have been so damn good. Their fielding has been a collection of LOLs, One OR TWO LMAO and that last one was the full ROFLMAO.

— Jarrod Kimber (@ajarrodkimber) June 4, 2019

Experience is leading #SriLanka and keeping #AfghanAtalan behind.

Otherwise Afghan team has most of the ingredients to fight a good match.

In near future, they going to be a big force of Cricket in region and internationally.#SLvAFG#AFGvSL #CWC19

— Salman Sikandar (@SALSIKandar) June 4, 2019

Oh Sri Lanka!

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 4, 2019

9-1-31-4 Sensational spell of bowling by Nuwan Pradeep. he was picked by a pace bowling event by a local TV channel. Must play all the matches. @OfficialSLC #SLvAFG #CWC19 #LionsRoar

— Daniel Alexander (@daniel86cricket) June 4, 2019

100% of Afghanistan's previous World Cup victories have come by 1 wicket

— Tim (@timwig) June 4, 2019

See-saw match #AFGvSL. You can see it in Chikmagalur, in Silchar, in Bhatinda, in Satara but I can't see it in my hotel room in England!

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 4, 2019

Sri Lanka caught in @MohammadNabi007 web, such a clever bowler…little assistance from the surface all in flight and guile. #class #SLvAFG #ICCWC2019

— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) June 4, 2019

Oh Dear …. #CWC2019 #SLvAFG pic.twitter.com/b3wXWtO3DZ

— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) June 4, 2019

Nabi is making old-fashioned off-spin fashionable. Love the way he changes pace and also, move the arm a little high or round-arm to create New angles. #CWC19 #SLvAfg

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) June 4, 2019

Even if Sri Lanka looses today, they shud call Sangakara and Jaywardane for rest of the matches!!
They both can score higher thn wht the current lot is scoring.#SLvAFG #AFGvSL #CWC19

— 100rab (@BatwadaSaurabh) June 4, 2019

. @KumarSanga2 predicted it and Malinga takes the wicket next ball.. lovely.. two more to go boys.. #SLvAFG #CWC19

— Ahamed Nishadh (@ahamednishadh) June 4, 2019

Lasith Malinga bowls a yorker straight from the depths of hell to become 10th highest wicket taker in ODI history. Legend. @ICC @OfficialSLC #LionsRoar

— Daniel Alexander (@daniel86cricket) June 4, 2019

SL started the chase 3/1 dogs, Afghanistan went to 10/3 dogs at 57/5. Odds were level at 92/5. But now Afghanistan 5/1 underdogs, SL 1/7 favorites to close this out after Malinga yorks Dawlat. Momentum-shifting moment of the chase was Thisara's catch at long leg to dismiss Zazai.

— Peter Della Penna (@PeterDellaPenna) June 4, 2019