Twitter Reactions: Asalanka, Rajapaksha take down Bangladesh as Sri Lanka stay unbeaten in T20 World Cup 2021

Sri Lanka, on Sunday, continued their dominating run as they defeated Bangladesh by six wickets at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Dasun Shanaka and Co. dominated the Netherlands at the same venue a couple of days ago and they replicated something similar against the Tigers as well. Bangladesh came into this game after wins over Oman and PNG, but failed to put in a decent performance.

Naim, Mushfiqur take charge

After being put in to bat first, the Tigers made a steady start. Mohammad Naim and Liton Das put on 40 runs for the opening wicket off 35 balls. Lahiru Kumara gave Lanka their first breakthrough after he got rid of Liton, who holed out to Dasun Shanaka inside the circle. Shakib Al Hasan started with two fours before Chamika Karunaratne castled. Naim, at the other end, looked determined for a big score.

He went on to score 62 off 52 balls with six fours and was also involved in a 73-run stand with Mushfiqur Rahim. Their partnership laid the platform for the Tigers to get a big score. Binura Fernando removed Naim in the 17th over to separate the duo. Mushfiqur Rahim got his form back as he stayed unbeaten on a 37-ball 57. Mahmudullah hit two fours as the Tigers put 171 on the board.

Bangladesh crumble under pressure

The Lankans didn’t make a great start as Nasum Ahmed, who came in place of Taskin Ahmed, got rid of the dangerous Kusal Perera. However, Pathum Nissanka and Charith Asalanka steadied the ship for their team with a 69-run stand for the second wicket. The Magura-born Shakib showed his magic as he removed Nissanka, who made 24, and sent back Avishka Fernando for a three-ball duck.

Mohammad Saifuddin put more pressure on Lanka as he accounted for Wanindu Hasaranga’s wicket. But Asalanka and Bhanuka Rajapaksha’s 86-run stand fizzled the spirit out of the Bangladesh bowlers. While Rajapaksha made a 31-ball 53, Asalanka stayed unbeaten on 80 off 49 balls. The fact that Liton Das dropped two catches didn’t help the Tigers’ cause by any stretch of the imagination.

Here’s how the netizens reacted to Sri Lanka’s win in Sharjah

Good start to super 12s. Great stuff from Charith & Bhanuka. Let’s keep the momentum going.#SLvBAN #T20WorldCup

— Lasith Malinga (@ninety9sl) October 24, 2021

Massive win for #SriLanka – and the hero..Charith Asalanka, a man who nobody considered to be a T20 player just a couple of months ago..he’s turned that around..and how! #SLvBAN #T20WorldCup

— Hemant (@hemantbuch) October 24, 2021

This should have not happened.

Lahiru Kumara could be in danger because of this aggressive behaviour. #T20WorldCup #SLvBAN @ThePapareSports pic.twitter.com/DwJOGLYFAg

— Damith Weerasinghe (@Damith1994) October 24, 2021

Loyalty is Bangladesh’s relationship with left/right spin v left/right batters. #T20WorldCup #SLvBAN

— Mohammad Isam (@Isam84) October 24, 2021

https://twitter.com/UPStatsman/status/1452267655449255939?s=20

Loyalty is Bangladesh’s relationship with left/right spin v left/right batters. #T20WorldCup #SLvBAN

— Mohammad Isam (@Isam84) October 24, 2021

Can't believe they reserved Asalnka for Chandimal I swear 😤😤😤💗🇱🇰 #SLvBAN

— Paramee Silva (@paarameehehehe) October 24, 2021

Brilliant win for the boys . So good to watch ! Didn’t think we’d chase it at the halfway stage but Asalanka was class !! #SL #SLvBAN #T20WorldCup

— MOKKUCRICKET (@Fullbunger) October 24, 2021

Wow, that was an incredibly clinical display from the youngsters. Completely blown away by how easy it was in the end. Expected something like this from the bowling department but not from the batsmen. #SLvBAN 🇱🇰

— Yohan Senarath (@YohanSena) October 24, 2021

Hope they look after Liton Das's mental health after what happened today and what Bangladesh fans will do in the next few days. #SLvBAN

— Thejas Ravindranath (@vrthejas) October 24, 2021

Looks like it’s time for Naeem to depart… #SLvBAN #T20WorldCup

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 24, 2021