Sri Lanka’s substitute fielder Ashen Bandara pulled off an incredible catch to dismiss Glenn Maxwell in the super-12 game against Australia.
Bandara’s stunning catch allowed Sri Lanka to dismiss the dangerous-looking Maxwell as he took on Sri Lanka’s most successful bowler Wanindu Hasaranga
Ashen Bandara’s game-changer catch
The explosive Aussie batter Glenn Maxwell was looking in some form as he smashed a couple of sixes as rushed to 23 runs off just 12 deliveries.
Just when it looked like Maxwell will take the game away from Sri Lanka, Bandara pulled off a blinder to dismiss Maxwell.
Sri Lankan all-rounder Chamika Karunaratne bowled a slower short ball as Maxwell rocked onto the backfoot and pulled it in search of one more six.
The aggressive batter did connect the shot well but the long boundary at Perth made it difficult for him to clear the boundary rope.
Bandara remained really calm inches away from the boundary rope anticipating the catch. He took the catch quite cleanly and checked if he maintained a safe distance with the rope.
The substitute fielder Bandara settled himself really well after taking the catch and made sure that he doesn’t make any contact with the rope.
Chamika Karunaratne looked really pumped up as he departed the most dangerous Aussie batter.
Bandara, the sub fielder looked really relieved after taking the catch as he had dropped one earlier on the previous delivery of the same over.
Just before dismissing Maxwell, Sri Lanka had an opportunity to dismiss Aussie skipper Aaron Finch as he had mistimed the pull shot.
Bandara covered some ground and juggled the ball thrice before eventually dropping the ball.
Earlier, Sri Lanka had put a total of 157 runs on the board on a pacy Perth wicket as Charith Asalanka scored an impressive knock of 38 runs off just 25 deliveries.
After losing Maxwell, Australia cruised to the total due to Marcus Stoinis’s fiery innings of 59 runs off just 18 deliveries which included 6 sixes.
Australia after losing their first game against New Zealand with a huge margin of 89 runs made sure they neutralized their net run rate to some extent as they chased the score in the 17th over.