Experienced Lasith Malinga (4/43) emerged as the star in Sri Lanka’s stunning 20-run World Cup win over England at Headingley on Friday.
England were all but out of the match afte𒁏r slumping to 186 for nine from 170 for four as they chased 233 for victory.
Ben Stokes’s blistering 82 not out off 89 balls, including seven fours and fours sixes, got them to within sight of their target.
But Stokes’s gamble on giving Mark Wood a ball to face at the end of a Nuwan Pradeep over backfired when the No. 11 was caught behind as Sri Lanka won with three overs to spare.
Earlier, Angelo Mathews’s gritty unbeaten 85 not out from 115 deliveries, with just five fours, helped the Islanders recover from a top-order collapse to finish on 232 for nine.
Here are some of the best Twitter reactions:
What a thrilling game today! In-form Malinga's 4 for 43 leads Srilanka to a convincing victory. Well deserved, Srilanka. The second half of the tournament is getting tight.
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina)
Brilliant stuff from Sri Lanka.
What they didn't do with the bat, they more than compensated with the ball.
Malinga and Co. were disciplined & troubled the batsmen.
With England still ⛎needing to play Australia, New Zealand & In💫dia, the may throw up a few surprises.— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt)
Excellent performance from Sri Lanka to beat England.
England have India, Australia and New Zealand to play with and will have to win 2 out of these 3.
World Cup is alive— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag)
What a performance by great win inspired bowling by lasith Malinga and danajaya de silva . WOW. Hope this is the catalyst for the team to 🌸believe even more. Now for the batsmen to respond with heart
— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2)
Well done Sri Lanka. Fantastic win. Malinga a𝕴nd Matthews, showingඣ what experience can do in crunch situations. Makes the table interesting
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281)
Gℱreat win boys!!!!! Lasith Malinga You beauty 👊 well done under pressure delivered. Played ��
— Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay)
Well Done Sri Lanka … Fantastic spirit showed today … Lasith Malinga take a bow … Magnificent display … !!
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan)
Sensational defence of a small total. Sri Lanka making the world cup interesting.
Whats next guys?— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph)
Well done What an incredib꧅le win 🥀!!!! Lion heart guys !! the brave heart
— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69)
Malinga is a champion. Fantastic win for Sri Lanka. Sh𝄹owing what they are capable 🐟of
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif)
Today some what I was feeling after seeing Malinga’s first over that🍒 Srilan♐ka will win. Great win Srilanka & very well bowled game changer Malinga
— Vinay Kumar R (@Vinay_Kumar_R)
//twitter.com/KP24/status/1142117522063290368
What magical bowlin💮g performance from 👏👏👏 Great stuff gents! The꧅ ‘old gun slinger’ a fab four-fa 👊🏻��😎Well done Lasith 😃
— Danny Morrison (@SteelyDan66)
What a win . u beauty. Great team work .
— Salman Butt (@im_SalmanButt)
What a game of cricket. Don’t underestimated Sri Lankan’s( lions). Any time they can bounced b🗹ack. What performances by and Avishka from bat. Lasith always unstoppable. Nuwan and and .
— Dhammika Prasad (@imDhammika)
One of the finest Wo𒉰rld Cup wins. Considering the strengths/weaknesses/form and expectations in mind. Well played, Sri Lanka 🇱🇰👏👏
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash)
Unbelievable stuff from Sri Lanka 🇱🇰
The Lankan bowlers especially Malinga was superb from the start.
Kudos to !
The just got interesting.— Vinod Kambli (@vinodkambli349)
Congratulations Srilanka .. what a brilliant bowling💟🐬 performance !!
— Sanath Jayasuriya (@Sanath07)
The tournament is alive…
— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell)
Great win by no one gave them chance to win against the mighty English team. Malinga was at his best with the new ball as well old. ꧒
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan)
Take note guys !!!!!
— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69)
