Twitter Reactions: Sri Lanka Post Commendable Total on Board

It was Bangladesh skipper Mahmudullah who won the toss and put the hosts in. The openers Danushka Gunathilaka and Kusal Mendis got the hosts off to a brisk start. Boundaries started flowing from the very first over. Mendis, in particular, looked in superb touch and smashed a couple of fours and sixes to start off proceedings. Gunathilaka also began briskly and found the boundary rope on a consistent basis.

After a 56 runs stand, it was Mustafizur Rahman who provided the visitors with the maiden breakthrough in the form of Danushka Gunathilka. The southpaw was dismissed after making a quickfire 26 of 19 deliveries which were studded with 3 fours and a six. However, the dismissal didn’t bother Mendis and he kept going after the bowlers.

He was yet again supported well by Kusal Perera who made light work of the Indian bowlers the other day. By the end of the 10^th over, Sri Lanka had reached a commanding position and was placed on 98/1. Perera after a slow start smashed a few wonderful shots to get his innings back on track. Mendis went on to score yet another half-century. But after sharing a brilliant partnership of 85 runs, it was skipper Mahmudullah who provided the much-needed breakthrough.

He bagged the wicket of Kusal Mendis and quickly added one more in the form of Dasun Shanaka. Skipper Dinesh Chandimal was also dismissed pretty cheaply. Chandimal got a leading edge and t was brilliantly taken by Sabbir Rahman as Sri Lanka found themselves on 150/4 in 15 overs.

It was Upul Tharanga who began in a sensational fashion. The southpaw struck 17 runs of Rubel Hossain in the 17th over which included a couple of fours and a six. Kusal Perera, on the other hand, kept going after the bowlers. He kept smashing the bowlers all around the park. Kusal Perera struck a four in the first delivery of the final over before being dismissed by Mustafizur. The southpaw made 74 of 48 deliveries. The left-arm pacer bagged one more wicket as Thisara Perera was also dismissed while attempting a big shot.

He banged a couple of beamers in the over. Jeevan Mendis struck a gigantic six in the penultimate delivery to take Sri Lanka to 214/6 in their allotted 20 overs. This also happens to be the highest T20I score of Sri Lanka.

These are the twitter reactions of the mid-innings

The field is still covered with cover#SLvBAN pic.twitter.com/5EILmqmZgy

— Somrat Hossain (@SomratOfficial) March 10, 2018

So due to #SLvBAN, no psl today as well. Nonsense.

— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) March 10, 2018

I will watch the premier league instead of watching #SLvBAN match

— Ahsan Sadaf (@ahdhdhisisid) March 10, 2018

Khettarama crowd chanting “Ku-sal, Ku-sal” when KJP, who’s just striking above a run-a-ball is on strike.

No such love for Mendis who’s striking at nearly 200.

Ouch.#SLvBan

— Andrew Fidel Fernando (@afidelf) March 10, 2018

https://twitter.com/Nibrazcricket/status/972474476553121793

111 1 11 moment broke in 6 #SLvBAN @ESPNcricinfo pic.twitter.com/ZzXEEijW89

— Double Crown (@RameezHasheem) March 10, 2018

Sensible innings by Kusal Mendis. ?? #SLvBAN

— Mithuni Senadeera (@Mithuni62) March 10, 2018

Kusal Mendis will soon be considered in the elite group of Kohli,Smith,Kane and Root.#SlvBan

— Sumeet (@Wr0ng_Un) March 10, 2018

I really like this new version of KM. plays with confidence and maturity also knows how to hit a weak ball.very well played ?? #SLvBAN

— Thisun (@thisun_jay) March 10, 2018

https://twitter.com/imgkj9999/status/972483616155435009

#SLvBAN #NidahasTrophy

When one Kusal has smashed your bowlers throughout the tour and now another Kusal joined the team and now both Kusals are smashing your bowlers for sixes.

Bangladesh Coach right now: pic.twitter.com/X8t23SlOGL

— Sakun (@Sakun_SD) March 10, 2018

As a cricket lover it's good to see SL back as a team after a long crisis. Now this T20 is fun after SL back in form @cricketsrilanka #SLvBAN #NidahasTrophy

— Man Mohan Singh (@banker_ladka) March 10, 2018