SA20 | Twitter goes wild as Nuwan Thushara rips apart Pretoria's top order to make Malinga proud

02/02/2024

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Nothing makes a coach more proud than witnessing his disciple carrying his legacy with pride. Such was the scene at the packed Centurion where Nuwan Thushara scalped two back-to-back wickets in his first over to dismiss Rilee Rossouw and Colin Ackermann making Lasith Malinga proud.

‌Chasing a mammoth total of 249 runs put up by MI Cape Town, the hosts had a great start in the first over scoring 23 runs off George Linde. MI opener Will Jacks smashed three back-to-back sixes providing hope to MI in chasing an impossible target. However, Sam Curran provided a breakthrough for his side and dismissed Philp Salt in the second over, courtesy of a great screamer by Nealan van Heerden. Meanwhile, in the third over, Kagiso Rabada showed exceptional bowling prowess with a pinpoint yorker dismissing Jacks who was looking dangerous. All eyes were now on Rilee Rossouw and Kyle Verreynne to power the middle over to chase the total.

Skipper Keiron Pollard handed over the fourth over to Sri Lankan speedster Nuwan Thushara for quick breakthroughs. Thushara left no stone unturned in providing quick wickets for his side as he dismissed Riley Rossouw with a fullish delivery and Rossouw swung across the line and missed it resulting in him departing for a duck. Meanwhile, Lasith Malinga was seen clapping in delight from the dugout. On the very next ball, Thushara bowled a toe-crusher to Colin Ackermann. He missed the attempted flick and the ball completely knocked the off-stump back. Malinga, this time, flashed a big smile from the dugout as the 29- year was on the verge of a hattrick, but missed out with a short-of-length delivery to Theunis de Bruyn.

The Twitterverse was indeed proud to witness Malinga-type bowling and took to social media to express their feelings.

What a spell!

pic.twitter.com/u0ALcoYdol
— Glennmax (@maxglenn425) February 1, 2024

True

Artist: Nuwan Thushara

MI has won it in the Auction itself. #SA20 pic.twitter.com/m1uu4U7bXN
— Varun Giri (@Varungiri0) February 1, 2024

It's baby day!

After Baby AB de Villiers, it's time for baby Malinga Nuwan Thushara show time.

Mumbai Cape Town is having a dream match. Mumbai can't have a more complete game than this.#SA20 #IndianCricket #Virat #INDvsENGTest #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/jCFw33wxL1
— Sujeet Suman (@sujeetsuman1991) February 1, 2024

Sad

We started the bidding for Thushara just like theekshana in 2022.😭 pic.twitter.com/RPBoQLjDrm
— KKRiders Akash (@AkashKkrian) February 1, 2024

He's cooking!

Oh man 3rd bowled wicket for Nuwan Thushara in this match. He's cooking under the guidance of Lasith Malinga.
— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan) February 1, 2024

Another one

Thushara is more Malinga than Pathirana. MI might have bagged another future IPL star.
— Manya (@CSKian716) February 1, 2024

Phenomenal

Nuwan Thushara was bowling phenomenally well in the Abu Dhabi T10, some of the deliveries were absolutely unplayable. Fully expected MI to go after him in the auction.

Wankhede suits his bowling style too, should have a good season for MI.#SA20
— Peeyush Sharma (@peeyushsharmaa) February 1, 2024

Just wow!

#SA20 Thushara please be honest, you're Malinga your coach today... WOW. Great bowling from Rabada as well pic.twitter.com/396PqF3jGt
— Sivuyile "Siviwe" (@ssimandla) February 1, 2024

Who knows!

Guys, mega auction nahi hone waala hai na?

I don't want to fckng lose Nuwan Thushara like we lose Boult, De Kock and others
— Vinesh Prabhu (@vlp1994) February 1, 2024

Another set of stumps gone!

Another time, Stumps gone for a Walk... Thushara not just bowling Yorkers, he's bowling with some decent swing in Air #SA20 https://t.co/RzT7r7qVYK pic.twitter.com/AC7DZTFkPX
— Abhijeet ♞ (@TheYorkerBall) February 1, 2024

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