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It was a blockbuster Sunday for a Sri Lankan fan. While Dasun Shanaka-led Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 23 runs in the Asia Cup 2022 final, former Sri Lanka skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan turned back the clock and scored 107 runs from 56 deliveries against Australia Legends in the ongoing Road Safety World Series T20 2022.
After winning the toss, Dilshan opted to bat first at Green Park, Kanpur. Opening the innings alongside Dilshan Munaweera, Sri Lankan openers scored 49 runs in the powerplay overs as Aussie pacers operated with the new ball.
At halfway stage they were 79/0. In the 11th over they broke free. The Dilshan duo took on Jason Krejza and scored 22 runs from his over. Munaweera got to his half-century with a six. In the next over, Dilshan took on John Hastings and got to his half-century from 32 deliveries.
Lee came back into the attack in the slog overs and Dilshan smashed him all around the mark. In the penultimate over he got to his century with a boundary off Lee. He got out in the same over as well. He scored 107 runs from 56 deliveries including 14 fours and four sixes. They shared an opening partnership of 208. At the end of the innings, Sri Lanka put 218/1 on the board. Munaweera remained unbeaten for 95 off 63 balls including 10 fours and two sixes.
Australia Legends' run chase of 219 got off to a good start. Shane Watson and Cameron White made full use of the fielding restrictions. It was Chaturanga de Silva who got the breakthrough with the wicket of skipper Watson in the seventh over. Watson scored 39 runs from 23 balls including six fours and two sixes. In the next over, Jeevan Mendis struck twice and got the wicket of White (30) and Brad Hodge (1).
From 79/3, Australia were in need of a partnership. Callum Ferguson and Ben Dunk kept Sri Lanka Legends on their toes. Dunk and Ferguson got out within five deliveries which derailed Australia's run chase. In the slog overs, Nuwan Kulasekara mopped up the tail quicly while Krejza got run out. Australia got all out in the 18th over for 180 and lost the match by 38 runs.
