SL vs PAK | Twitter reacts as Dunith Wellalage adds to dreamy bucket list with priceless scalp of Babar Azam
Most bowlers have to toil their whole careers to scalp the best in the business but Dunith Wellalage has an enviable list of victims already at the age of 20. Having dismissed two modern greats previously in Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, the spinner next got rid of Babar Azam with a gorgeous ball.
Sri Lanka won the battles early on in a must win game against PakistanĀ at the R Premadasa Stadium on Thursday as they restricted the visitors toĀ 88/2 at the end of 20 overs in the rain-curtailed match. While Pramod Madushan got rid of the out of sorts Fakhar Zaman in just the fifth over, the big blow for the hosts came in the 16th over courtesy of Dunith Wellalage in the form of world's top ranked batter Babar Azam.
Babar was looking imperious as ever on 29 when the left-arm spinner tossed up a full delivery at the stumps on the last ball of his over.Ā The batterĀ strode forward to defend the ball but upon pitching in front of his bat, the Kookaburra turned square to beat the outside edge and nestle into the wicket-keeper's gloves. Kusal Mendis was quick to whip off the bails in a jiffy and immediately proceeded to appeal loudly, looking confident that he had got the job done even as the umpire sent the decision upstairs. Replays confirmed the Lions' suspicion as an off-balance Babar hadĀ to lift hisĀ back leg to keep himself from falling which was enough to spell his demise.
Wellalage was understandably ecstatic, given Babar averages nearly 60 in ODI cricket. Having also scalped Steve Smith earlier in his career and taken a five-for versus India on Tuesday including theĀ wickets of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, the 20-year-old's magical feats were lauded heavily by Twitterati.Ā
What a delivery!
ā andre bapat (@AndreBapat82195)Ā September 14, 2023
SAD
Babar bhaijaan ke liye sed feel ho rha šĀ pic.twitter.com/gLu26YwVs5
ā 99notout. (@0zerokaran)Ā September 14, 2023
Yes please
SOMEONE GIFT YOUR LUCK TO BABAR PLEASE, HE HAS ZERO.
ā šøāØļø (@kdhr_muu_utha_k)Ā September 14, 2023
Very special
Within 48 hours, Wellalage has dismissed Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Babar Azam. This kid is very, very special ā¤ļøĀ #AsiaCup2023Ā #PAKvsSLĀ #babarĀ #virat#PAKvsSLĀ pic.twitter.com/YuTJVsQppZ
ā junaid zeb (@junaidz70037835)Ā September 14, 2023
Super form
Wellalaage be like le pel diya tere no 1 batsman ko Babar Azam š±š°
ā Ravi Tiwari (@thedumboguy)Ā September 14, 2023
Wellalaage is in another form#PAKvsSLĀ #SLvsPakĀ #SLvPAKĀ pic.twitter.com/0JNbXO8hkG
Bye bye
Babar Azam Goes for 29 in 35 balls.#BabarAzamĀ #SLvsPakĀ #SLvPAKĀ pic.twitter.com/Es34FNCCEI
ā SamCric (@SamCric17)Ā September 14, 2023
Failed again
Babar azam Failed in one more do or die match#BabarAzamšµĀ #ViratKohlišµĀ #WellalageĀ #kusalmendisĀ #SLvsPakĀ #SLvPAKĀ #RizwanĀ #AppleEventĀ #AsiaCup2023Ā pic.twitter.com/nbJuUUL11C
ā Amit ThakuRš (@Amit_Bhati_007)Ā September 14, 2023
LOL
Babar Azam in depression after Dunith Wellalage got his wicket š #AsianGames2023Ā #rain#PAKvsSLĀ #PAKvSLĀ #AsiaCup23#rainĀ #colomboweatherĀ #BabarAzamĀ pic.twitter.com/VHk6RkcUjM
ā Ashutosh Srivastava š®š³ (@sri_ashutosh08)Ā September 14, 2023
Crazy delivery
Wowwwwww
ā DK (@DineshKarthik)Ā September 14, 2023
That ball from Dunith Wellalage to dismiss Babar Azam is one for the ages
Drift and Turn and beat him purely on flight
It was a thing of beauty
Srilanka have unearthed a new āļø#AsiaCup2023Ā #CricketTwitter
Back to pavillion
Babar in Asia Cup
ā Aryan (@OxygenKohli18)Ā September 14, 2023
Against Nepal - 151 Runs , ā¾ļø Average
Against Other Teams - 263 Runs , 18.78 Average
Jahan do or die Match hote hai , Wahan 2 minute me Babar Pavillion ki Taraf Jate dikhte haiĀ pic.twitter.com/RvpEvzi6Vh