The Sri Lanka – Bangladesh Asia Cup fixture was an absolute blockbuster  with full of drama, action and emotion. The Lankans chased down 184 with four balls to spare. Kusal Mendis and Dasun Shanaka batted incredibly well as they scored 60 and 45, respectively but it was Asitha Fernando’s 10 in three balls which finished the game off. 

Celebrating this victory, spinner Maheesh Theekshana posted a collage of pictures from their victory with a special message addressing the comments made by Bangladesh’s team director Khaled Mahmud. Theekshana’s message said, “No need to have world-class players when you have 11 brothers.”

What did Khaled Mahmud say?

Bangladesh’s team director was replying to Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka’s comments about the Bangla Tigers having only two world-class bowlers. Mahmud talked about how Shanaka could feel that Bangladesh is an easier opponent but Sri Lanka doesn’t have any world-class bowlers.

Khaled Mahmud said, “It’s up to Dasun, why he said that or why he thinks we are (easier opponent). Maybe Afghanistan has a better T20 squad, that’s why he said that. He said a lot of other things as well, he said we have only 2 (world-class) bowlers or something.”

“I don’t see any in Sri Lanka, at least Bangladesh have two. That’s very good. We have at least Mustafizur and Shakib, I don’t think they have world-class bowlers like them. It’s about how you play the game that matters. Let’s see what happens tomorrow,” the team director further said.

Sri Lankan top order batter Kusal Mendis won the Player of the Match award for his incredible 60 in 37 balls with four fours and three sixes at a strike rate of 162.16. Reacting to this award he said, “First six overs, I went with my normal game and then the next four overs, I went with my shots.”

“(On the no ball) It was a good option, I got to bat again. I had two chances, so today was my day. I got to 60 runs and did the best for my team. I have had practice in Sri Lanka for the last six months to a year, every day I am learning and I know what the team wants from me. Thank you very much for the support, Sri Lankan fans!