Dushan Hemantha, substituting for Kusal Mendis, wowed the crowd with a spectacular diving catch to send Abdullah Shafique packing in the ICC World Cup 2023 clash between Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
In the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023 showdown against Pakistan at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Dushan Hemantha’s substitute appearance has left a lasting mark. Stepping in as a substitute fielder in place of Kusal Perera, his stunning diving catch became the point of attention.
Pakistan’s dynamic batsman Abdullah Shafique had seemed unstoppable. His remarkable century strongly hinted at a sure victory, seemingly making it a straightforward win for his team.
However, the game took a turn when Matheesha Pathirana delivered a poorly executed ball, providing Shafique with an opportunity to execute a powerful cut shot towards the boundary. In an outstanding display of athleticism, Dushan Hemantha, strategically positioned at the backward point, leaped to his right to take a breathtaking blinder.
Abdullah Shafique notched an impressive 113 runs from 103 balls, marking a stellar World Cup debut for the opening batsman. As he made his way back to the pavilion he got a standing ovation for his outstanding innings, featuring three sixes and ten fours.
Dushan Hemantha had stepped in as a substitute for Kusal Mendis, who was hospitalized due to severe cramps after his remarkable innings of 122 runs. Sadeera Samarawickrama has since assumed the wicket-keeping responsibilities in Mendis’ absence.
Last Updated on October 10, 2023
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