Table of Contents
In a crucial moment during the fourth day of the third Test between England and Sri Lanka on Monday, September 9, Shoaib Bashir executed an exceptional catch near the boundary to dismiss Kusal Mendis. This key moment occurred in the fifth over of the fourth day, specifically the 20th over of Sri Lanka’s second innings.
Shoaib Bashir’s spectacular catch dismisses Kusal Mendis
Mendis, a right-handed batter, attempted to pull a short-pitched delivery from Atkinson, making solid contact with the ball. For a moment, it looked as though the ball was destined to reach the boundary. However, Bashir, positioned strategically close to the rope, had other plans. The tall fielder displayed remarkable athleticism, diving full length to his left and securing a clean, two-handed catch.
Bashir’s acrobatic effort not only brought an end to Mendis’ well-crafted 39-run innings but also provided England with their first breakthrough of the day. This wicket was pivotal, as Sri Lanka were in pursuit of a 219-run target to win the third Test match. Bashir’s catch not only energized the England side but also set the tone for the rest of the day, showcasing the importance of sharp fielding in tight Test matches.
Here’s the video:
WHAT. A. CATCH!
Take a bow, Shoaib Bashir 😱 pic.twitter.com/FbGeZMwXMo
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 9, 2024
Also WATCH: Jamie Smith plays a counterattacking knock of 67 runs against Sri Lanka on Day 3 of the third Test
England’s inconsistent batting performance
Earlier, In the first innings, England displayed a mix of resilience and fragility, scoring 325 runs. Ollie Pope led the charge with a well-crafted 154, supported by Ben Duckett‘s aggressive 86. However, the rest of the lineup struggled, with no other batsman crossing 20. Sri Lanka’s bowlers, led by Milan Rathnayake with 3 wickets, kept England in check, preventing them from posting a more imposing total.
In their second innings, England faltered under pressure, collapsing for 156 runs. Jamie Smith‘s brisk 67 was the only notable contribution as Sri Lanka’s bowlers, especially Lahiru Kumara with 4 wickets, dismantled the batting order. This left England defending a modest target of 219, a challenging prospect given Sri Lanka’s strong batting form.
Sri Lanka’s steady chase
Sri Lanka’s response in their first innings was solid, with Pathum Nissanka’s 64 and Dhananjaya de Silva‘s 69 leading the way to a total of 263. However, the lower order crumbled under pressure, losing their last five wickets for just 43 runs. England’s bowlers, particularly Josh Hull and Olly Stone, exploited the conditions effectively.
In their pursuit of 219 runs, Sri Lanka started confidently, with Nissanka anchoring the chase with an unbeaten 73. Despite losing Dimuth Karunaratne and Mendis, they remained on course, needing just 86 more runs on the fourth day with eight wickets in hand. The English bowlers struggled to make inroads, putting Sri Lanka in a favorable position to claim victory.
