• Home
  • Match Hub
  • Kusal Mendis Warms Up For World Cup 2023 With Thunderous 158 Vs Afghanistan

Kusal Mendis Warms Up For World Cup 2023 With Thunderous 158 vs Afghanistan

image-lna7rri6Kusal Mendis in action against Afghanistan in World Cup 2023 warm-up (x.com)

Kusal Mendis, who scored just 22 in Sri Lanka’s first World Cup 2023 warm-up game against Bangladesh last week, has slapped a majestic ton against Afghanistan in Guwahati. Leading his side in the absence of injured Dasun Shanaka, the number three batter arrived to the crease following Dimuth Karunaratne’s dismissal in the sixth over of the innings.

From there on, Mendis formed crucial stands with opener Pathum Nissanka and with number four Sadeera Samarawickrama on his way to a whirlwind 59-ball 158 (retired hurt).


Mendis mauls Afghanistan attack with free-flowing runs

Sri Lankan veteran Kusal Mendis took his time upfront, scored just three off his first 10 deliveries before unleashing an extraordinary sequence of fours and sixes at the Assam Cricket Association Stadium in Guwahati.

The cricketer launched his aggression by taking Azmatullah Omarzai into cleaners, before shifting his focus to Afghanistan’s ace spinners Noor Ahmed and Rashid Khan. Mendis also accumulated 30 runs off just 10 balls from Abdul Rahman at one stage, by belting the young speedster with seven boundaries and a six.

The right-hander raced to his century from just 59 balls, before ending his knock on 158. He ensured Sri Lanka reached 270 within the 39th over of their innings itself. 

During the earlier stages of the warm-ups, Sri Lanka lost out to Bangladesh by seven wickets. Their training appearance against Afghanistan marks their final warm-up outing before they commence their World Cup 2023 campaign in Delhi.

They are slated to face South Africa at the Arun Jaitley Stadium and their much-awaited bout will be played on October 7.