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Sri Lankan pacer Nuwan Thushara bowled an incredible spell of 4/18 in his four overs against Bangladesh in the 2024 T20 World Cup in Dallas on June 7. The Lankans threw away a brilliant start with the bat and finished on a below-par score of 124/9 in 20 overs.
Yet, Thushara brought them back into the contest with a wicket off his first over, reducing Bangladesh to 8/2 in two overs. The 29-year-old bowled an extended spell in the powerplay, with his third over producing another crucial wicket to leave Bangladesh reeling at 28/3 in the sixth over.
The game ebbed and flowed from that point with Bangladesh reaching a comfortable 111/6 in 17 overs, requiring only 14 off 18 deliveries. However, Thushara unleashed more magic with a two-wicket 18th over, conceding a mere three runs.
He finished his magnificent spell at 4/18 in four overs, providing Sri Lanka a golden opportunity to win the game.
Fans on X were appreciative of Thushara's relentless bowling efforts and praised him with the below reactions:
Fans continued their praise of Thushara with one saying:
"Wonderful spell by Mumbai Indians blood Nuwan Thushara. Unfortunately it was not good enough."
"Thushara can hold his head high for Sri Lanka, that bowler for the last over ruined everything," tweeted a fan.
"Absolute treat to watch Thushara," a fan said.
Nuwan Thushara's heroics go in vain as Sri Lanka lose to Bangladesh in a thriller
Despite Thushara's outstanding spell, Sri Lanka could not seal the deal and fell to Bangladesh by two wickets with an over to spare.
After the speedster left Bangladesh needing 11 off 12 with only two wickets left, former skipper Dasun Shanaka bowled a listless 19th over. The medium pacer conceded a crucial maximum off the first ball followed by another five runs for Bangladesh to romp home.
The defeat was Sri Lanka's second to begin their 2024 T20 World Cup campaign, leaving them on the brink of elimination.
Meanwhile, the victory was just what the doctor ordered for Bangladesh to reverse their dismal recent results and open their tournament on a positive note. Leg-spinner Rishad Hossain was the Player of the Match for an outstanding spell of 3/22 in four overs during Sri Lanka's batting essay.
Bangladesh will take on South Africa in their next encounter in New York on Monday, June 10, while Sri Lanka face Nepal in Florida the following day.
