AFG vs SL | Twitter in awe as Kusal's perfect leap and balancing act pushes Afghan off the scale

‌Afghanistan flew off the blocks against Sri Lanka in a must-win Asia Cup clash at the Zayed Cricket Stadium as an 18-run second over left them sitting pretty at 26/0 with a large chunk of the powerplay to go. However, Nuwan Thushara instigated an immediate downfall by deceiving Rahmanullah Gurbaaz with a well-disguised slower ball while Kusal Perera completed a difficult jumping catch at short third man, which soon culminated into 47/3 at the end of six. Nevertheless, Ibrahm Zadran and Darwish Rasooli dug in to bring back some stability and just when hopes bega to reignite as the duo passed the innings' halfway mark, tragedy struck courtesy another piece of genius from Perera.

On the third ball of the 11th over, Rasooi decided it was time to break the shackles by going after a short and wide delivery from Dushmantha Chameera. However, the Kookaburra ended up being slightly out of his reach, which meant a feeble contact and a chance for short third-man. Yet, as the ball descended towards the boundary, a six looked inevitable given the height it had managed to garner. Even so, Perera kept his eyes glued to the white rock, and just as it hovered over his head the fielder thrust himself off the deck while angling backwards, both his hands outstretched. Perfect judgement meant the ball somehow stuck to his palms but Perera was still off balance and at risk of falling out of bounds but in a brilliant agile display, the veteran stabilized him perfectly on one leg wjile being separated from the boundary by an inch, and managed to hop his way into safety to complete a ridiculous catch.

Rasooli was left stunned while the umpires verified the cleanness of the grab, and eventually walked off distraught while Twitterati lauded praise on Perera.

What a catch!

Brilliant catch!

Crazy!

Amazing effort!

Can't believe!

People will remember this for long!

Yeah!

No comments!

Yes he is!

Mind blowing!