Lasith Malinga yorker vs Afghanistan: Veteran Sri Lanka fast bowler was at his utmost best in the death overs vs Afghanistan.
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During the seventh match of the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka at Cardiff, veteran Sri Lanka fast bowler Lasith Malinga put on display his quintessential style of bowling as he bowled Afghanistan fast bowler Hamid Hassan (6).
It all happened on the fourth delivery of the 33rd over when Malinga bowled a toe-crushing yorker to seal the match for Sri Lanka. Since even the best of batsmen have struggled against Malinga’s pinpoint yorkers, it was always going to be a daunting task for a No. 10 batsman.
Having opened the bowling for Sri Lanka, Malinga ended with bowling figures of 6.4-0-39-3. With him dismissing the last batsman, it brought the first victory of the tournament for Sri Lanka. Malinga’s fellow fast bowler Nuwan Pradeep (9-1-31-4) was declared the ‘Man of the Match’.
With rain playing a big role in the match, Afghanistan required 187 runs to win in 41 overs. Despite a brisk start, wickets falling at regular intervals hurt Afghanistan the most. Najibullah Zadran, who came in to bat at No. 7 in the 14th over, scored an impressive 43 (56) with the help of three fours.
After Afghanistan captain Gulbadin Naib won the toss and put Sri Lanka into bat, they scored 201/10 in 36.5 overs. Wicket-keeper batsman Kusal Perera top-scored for the island nation scoring 78 (81) with the help of eight fours. With bowling figures of 9-0-30-4, veteran Afghanistan all-rounder Mohammad Nabi was their highest wicket-taker.
Lasith Malinga yorker vs Afghanistan:
Watch Sri Lanka’s winning moment – a classic yorker from Lasith Malinga! #AFGvSL #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/YCnC2b1Nty
— ICC (@ICC) June 4, 2019
How Twitter reacted:
The D/L formula was somewhat unkind, but this was a disappointing battinf performance by @ACBofficials. Modest targets can be tricky and their inexperience came through. Good bounce back by Sri Lanka though well below top form still
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) June 4, 2019
Well……Oh Afghanistan! Much needed cheer for Sri Lanka. Hope they remain strong at #CWC2019 https://t.co/vdk5AOFVuj
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 4, 2019
A special spell from The President today as he delivered his career best bowling figures during #AFGvSL! 🙌
Take a bow, @MohammadNabi007! 🧡#CWC19 #RisersAtCWC19 #OrangeArmy #RiseWithUs pic.twitter.com/4DIBY5Dihc
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) June 4, 2019
Afghanistan will start winning matches. It’s certain that they will grow. But the onus of their growth is on the bigger cricketing nations. How many bilateral series have they played against Aus, Ind, Eng, SA, NZ, Pak between the two World Cups? #CWC19
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) June 4, 2019
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