Wait, what??? What has just happened? Sri Lanka have defeated Australia in the 3rd T20 game to finish the series on a high. After chasing the game of 37 overs, Dasun Shanaka exploded with the bat to chase 59 runs in the final three overs to shock the Aussies.
On Saturday, Sri Lanka and Australia met in the 3rd and the final T20 game of the three-match series at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. Australia skipper Aaron Finch won the toss and elected to bat first.
The visitors had a decent start to the game as the openers added 43 runs for the first wicket before Aaron Finch departed. However, the following batters kept attacking the bowlers and chipped in with vital contributions. Marcus Stoinis played a vital knock of 38 runs in the death to take Australia to a total of 176/5 in 20 overs.
Defending the total, the Aussie bowling led by Josh Hazlewood were all over the Lankans and a clean sweep looked like a guarantee for the Kangaroos. However, the Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanka had different ideas in his mind.
Dasun Shanka achieves the impossible to defeat the Aussies
Chasing the total, Sri Lanka were reeling at 118/6 in 17 overs as they needed 59 runs in the final three overs. The game looked done and dusted at that moment as Josh Hazlewood came on to finish his spell, who had the bowling figures of two wickets for three runs after three overs.
However, Dasun Shanka exploded to smash two maximums and two boundaries in the 18th over to give Sri Lanka a glimmer of hope. In the very next over, he alongside Chamika Karunaratne, added 18 runs to bring the equation down to 19 runs in the final over.
Dasun Shanka smoked two boundaries and a maximum in the final over to win the game by four wickets.
The Twitterati could do nothing but praise the Sri Lanka skipper for his brave heroics to win the final T20I game ahead of the ODI series.
Check out the best Tweets here:
Captain fantastic @dasunshanaka1 What a win .. what an innings .. one we will remember for a long long time #SLvAus What a treat for all those who came in to support @OfficialSLC Yay🤸‍♀️🤸‍♀️🤸‍♀️
— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) June 11, 2022
What a game! 🔥#SLvAUS #CheerForLions pic.twitter.com/Lh00gs9gjs
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) June 11, 2022
Superstar Shanaka 🌟
Late heroics from the Sri Lankan captain guide the hosts through to a thrilling victory over Australia in Pallekele.
Watch the #SLvAUS series on https://t.co/MHHfZPyHf9 (in select regions)
Scorecard: https://t.co/WMv9vUSU7h pic.twitter.com/PKBzny6bRh
— ICC (@ICC) June 11, 2022
I was never a fan of dasun but today I must say he was fabulous.
Won this match because of him…
Congratulations team. đź‘Ź #SLvAUS #SriLanka— Ruhansi Wedasinghe (@ruhansiweda) June 11, 2022
I’ll watch those last three overs every time SL loose 🥹 that will make my heart #SLvAUS
— aa.siimm (@aasiimmn) June 11, 2022
A top class finish by Dasun Shanaka 🔥 What a knock under pressure 👏👏👏#SLvAUS
— Aashik (@aashik_15) June 11, 2022
Dasun Shanaka's Today:
First 12 balls – 6 runs
In last 13 Balls: 6 4 4 1 1 4 1 6 1 4 4 6 6The Finisher DASUN SHANAKA!!!#SLvAUS #CricketTwitter
— Rahul Choudhary (@Rahulc7official) June 11, 2022
O Captain! My Captain! #SLvAUS
— Tharumalee (@tharumaleee) June 11, 2022
Sri Lanka wins with Captain's Marvelous Death over Half Century. 🔥 #SLvAUS
— FieldR – Match Analyzer Tool (@FieldRTool) June 11, 2022
What has Dasun Shanaka done??? And what on earth have I missed??? #SLvAUS
— Soorya Sesha (@sooryasesha7) June 11, 2022
