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[Watch] Kusal Mendis-Shoriful Islam Involved In A Big Fight In Asia Cup

image-llza6uanKusal Mendis was dismissed by Shakib Al Hasan (AP)

Sri Lanka’s ongoing Asia Cup 2023 duel with Bangladesh is setting up to be a thriller in Kandy. After Sri Lanka dismantled the Bangladeshis for just 164 upfront, the hosts received multiple top-order jolts in the initial stages of their run-chase.

Amidst a brewing thriller, players from both sides seem to be feeling the heat. In the fourth over of the Sri Lankan innings itself, number three batter Kusal Mendis was seen having a verbal go with Bangladesh new-ball pacer Shoriful Islam.

Shoriful and Kusal Mendis have a go at each other

Chasing a mere 165 to register their first win of the Asia Cup 2023, Sri Lanka lost both openers within the first four overs of their run-chase. While Dimuth Karunaratne was cleaned up by Taskin Ahmed, Pathum Nissanka was removed by Shoriful Islam as Sri Lanka slipped to 15-2 from 3.3 overs.

A couple of deliveries following Nissanka’s dismissal, Islam was seen having a verbal duel with on-strike batter Kusal Mendis. According to commentators, their altercation occurred due to a misunderstanding the two cricketers. Apparently, Mendis felt agitated by the Bangladeshi speedster who was merely speaking to his wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim.

The Sri Lankan batsman mistook Islam’s communication with a teammate as a jibe on himself, which led to a brief heated exchange between the two.

Watch: Shoriful Islam and Kusal Mendis engage in war of words

In the meantime, Mendis eventually perished at the hands of Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan just a few overs after his standoff with Shoriful Islam.

Both teams are desperately fighting on as a win in their opening Group B game will help them set an early tone in the Asia Cup 2023 competition.