What seemed like just another Sunday afternoon in Sri Lanka, turned out to be one of the most entertaining in a long time as Asela Gunaratne guided the island nation to their fifth consecutive T20I win Down Under.
Needing 36 off the last two overs, it was Asela Gunaratne who did the near impossible to bring a famous victory for Sri Lanka.
Asela Gunarathne marshals Sri Lanka to an epic victory ThePapare.com
Asela Gunarathne smashed the innings of his life to produce one of the greatest wins for Sri Lanka…
Our one-man army, Sameera Peiris made it to Geelong Park and made sure he captured all the action from his lenses.
We’ve picked our 7 top moments.
1 Vikum Sanjaya took out the Australian openers
Playing only his second T20 International, the 25-year-old took out Aaron Finch and later Michael Klinger. He finished with career best figures of 2/32.
2 Gunaratne makes the breakthrough
With the hosts cantering at over 9 runs an over, it was that man Asela Gunaratne who broke the momentum of the innings, taking out in-form Ben Dunk for 32.
3 Kule ends the innings on a high
Kulasekara bagged four wickets, including two off consecutive deliveries that came in the last two balls of the innings. With 4/31 he registered his best bowling performance in T20Is!
4 That winning moment!
Needing two off the last ball, the lone fighter Gunaratne cleared the in-field, taking Sri Lanka to another famous win. The 36 runs Sri Lanka chased in the final 2 overs is the most by any team to win a game.
5 “Unbelievable. Unbelievable. They deserve to be jumping up and down”
It was another ‘Melbourne miracle’ for Sri Lanka and the team celebrated by lifting the man of the moment on their shoulders.
6 The man of the moment
Whether it be the fans, the commentators or the players, everyone wanted a piece of Asela Gunaratne and the Soldier obliged by posing for pictures that will surely be treasured.
7 Don’t stop believing!
