'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQF/8QAFQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAwX/2gAMAwEAAhADEAAAAM2AnL//xAAiEAABAAkFAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACAAEDBAUGBxETNFKClNP/2gAIAQEAAT8AVSKZcJM2rjD8pWJZC+beKLonMt9NDe+fmn//xAAXEQEAAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAAIE/9oACAECAQE/AHXcn//EABYRAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEAAv/aAAgBAwEBPwByX//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Sri Lanka's Maheesh Theekshana took an exceptional catch at third man to send Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan back and keep his side in the hunt in the ongoing Group D clash at the 2024 T20 World Cup. The spinner defied expectations to claim the crucial wicket, and even drew a standing ovation from the Lankan coach Chris Silverwood in the dugout.
Bangladesh were cruising in their run chase after Towhid Hridoy boosted the proceedings by taking on Wanindu Hasaranga. Sri Lanka clawed their way back into the game with Hridoy's wicket and a few tight overs.
Bangladesh, however, still had the upper hand as they had the experience of Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah at the crease. The Bangla Tigers were placed at 108-5 after 16 overs, and Pathirana was brought in to bowl his final over.
The second delivery witnessed a short delivery by the right-arm pacer, which Shakib looked to steer over third man with a cut shot on top of the bounce. Theekshana, stationed at the deep, came storming in and dove to his front in time to get his fingers underneath the ball and complete the catch.
Have a look at the exceptional piece of fielding right here:
Shakib Al Hasan departed after scoring a scratchy eight runs off 14 deliveries. Sri Lanka were able to hand Bangladesh a major scare as wickets tumbled following the veteran all-rounder's departure.
Maheesh Theekshana was lambasted for his fielding in IPL 2024
The spinner did not have the best of IPL seasons in the 2024 edition with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). He picked up only a couple of wickets in five matches at an economy of 7.20 but was somehow worse on the field.
Theekshana's campaign included a slew of misfields and dropped catches, with arguably the most memorable one being his effort against the Rajasthan Royals (RR). He had dropped a simple chance in the deep to hand Riyan Parag a major reprieve.
Theeskshana has even earned the wrath of head coach Silverwood in the past. The former England coach was furious as the bowler had dropped a chance in the final over during the loss to Zimbabwe earlier this year.
