‘Kamaal ki innings hain’-Fans react as Kusal Mendis scores fastest hundred by Sri Lanka batter in ODI World Cup 2023

Sri Lanka is currently facing Pakistan in their second match of the ODI World Cup 2023. Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad. The 2022 Asia Cup champions lost an early wicket of Kusal Perera as the batter returned to the pavilion without scoring. Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka stitched a 107-run partnership before the latter was dismissed by Shadab Khan after scoring 51 runs.

Mendis has been in sensational form in 2023, the batter has shown his class in the Asia Cup as well. On Tuesday, Mendis was dropped by Imam-ul-Haq in the first powerplay, which proved costly for Pakistan. The 28-year-old batter scored a brilliant hundred off 65 balls against Babar Azam’s side in the ongoing match of the marquee tournament.

This is his first hundred in a World Cup and overall this is his third hundred in the one-day internationals. It is the fastest century by any Sri Lanka batter in the men’s ODI World Cup, He has hit 13 fours and four sixes while reaching the milestone. Dasun Shanaka’s side had a hefty defeat against South Africa where their bowlers got smacked all around the park. The Proteas scored 428/5 which was the highest total of the ODI World Cup history in Delhi’s Arun Jaitley stadium.

Can Sri Lanka end their World Cup drought against Pakistan?

Sri Lanka has not won against Pakistan in the marquee tournament.  So that jinx can be broken if they post a good total on the board. However, this is only the second match of the mega event for both teams. But the Islanders will look to turn around things in their favor. In the first match, Shanaka whose form was a concern for the Lankans showed a brilliant display of batting at the end of the innings against the Proteas.

Sadeera Samarawickrama and Dhananjaya de Silva are at the crease with still 13 overs of the first inning left the Islanders have a chance to score past 300 runs and set up a big total for Babar Azam’s-side.

Here’s how fans reacted: 

Currently Kusal Mendis is best Sri Lankan batter.

— Manoj Tiwari (@ManojTiwariIND) October 10, 2023

Brilliant knock. He is a great striker of the ball.

— Anupama Singh (@anupamaasingh) October 10, 2023

https://twitter.com/EngrM_Farooq/status/1711693489426080153

Pakistan ki Lanka lagaadi Lanka walo ne

— Teri Meri Baatein (@TeriMeriBaatein) October 10, 2023

High quality inning this from Mendis.

— Piyush Cricket (@kayptalks) October 10, 2023

https://twitter.com/imAahanaa/status/1711692325267845267

https://twitter.com/sololoveee/status/1711692881872957497

https://twitter.com/Guri_Pbks/status/1711692296222044392