'Aise kon maarta hai bhai' - Fans in awe as Kusal Mendis scores fastest hundred for Sri Lanka in World Cup history

The ODI World Cup 2023 cricketing spectacle unfolded as Pakistan faced off against Sri Lanka in the eighth match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad on October 10. Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka, having won the toss, chose to bat first.

The choice appeared to be a misjudgment as they suffered the early loss of opener Kusal Perera, who was out for a four-ball duck. Nevertheless, Pathum Nissanka emerged as a key player for his side, forming a substantial 102-run partnership with Kusal Mendis for the second wicket. However, Pakistan secured a crucial breakthrough by dismissing Nissanka, who scored 51 off 61 deliveries..

Mendis, on the other hand, delivered a remarkable performance, reaching a century in just 65 balls. The wicketkeeper-batsman was eventually out after an outstanding innings, scoring a career-best 122 runs off only 77 deliveries. His innings included an impressive 16 boundaries and six maximums, leaving Sri Lanka at 218/3.

Mendis also scored fastest hundred for Sri Lanka in World Cup history

Mendis made history by achieving the fastest-ever century by a Sri Lankan cricketer in the ODI World Cup, breaking the record set by the legendary Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara. At 28, he added another accolade to his name as the sole Sri Lankan batter to score a century against Pakistan in this prestigious event. The previous highest score by a Sri Lankan batter against Pakistan in the World Cup was 89 by Roshan Mahanama in the 1987 World Cup in Hyderabad.

Furthermore, Mendis' century ranks as the sixth-fastest in ODI World Cup history, following Aiden Markram (49 balls), Kevin O'Brien (50 balls), Glenn Maxwell (51 balls), AB de Villiers (52 balls), and Eoin Morgan (57 balls).

In contrast, despite Mendis's significant contribution with a gritty knock of 76 off 42 deliveries, Sri Lanka fell short against South Africa led by Temba Bavuma in their opening World Cup game, surrendering the highest total (428).

Let us look at how Twitter has reacted to this brilliant innings from Mendis;

JUSTIFYING HIS TALENT🔥🔥

HE CAME / SAW / CONCURRED

— the DUGOUT ! (@teams_dream) October 10, 2023

200+ speed of pindi express 😂😂😂

— Xi jingping (Parody) (@xipingaoc) October 10, 2023

lets laugh at the lumber 1 pace attack 😹😹

— Arun Lol (@dhaikilokatweet) October 10, 2023

Its carnage by Mendis

— MOHAMMAD (@Mohammedptl_18) October 10, 2023

Bhai ye banda alag hi khel rha h iss worldcup me, akela sri lanka ko carry kr rha h

— Mohit Bissu (@Mohitbissu001) October 10, 2023

He was in fire 🔥 today

— Vaibhav Saxena (@Vaibhav23362403) October 10, 2023

Well played

— Ankit Khanna (@ankit_khanna) October 10, 2023

super class

— wajiha (@waji_ji) October 10, 2023

Tremendous knock 💯👍🏻🏏

— The Peaceful Me 🪩 (@thepeacefulme) October 10, 2023