38* off 91 balls, Maheesh Theekshana scripts history to help Sri Lanka post fighting total against New Zealand

New Zealand managed to bowl out Sri Lanka on simply 171 runs whereas fielding first to enhance their World Cup 2023 semifinal qualification hopes on Thursday, November 9. Sri Lanka are looking for a comfort win having already been eradicated from the semifinal race and now are dealing with probably heartbreaking defeat of their final recreation within the match. 

However, issues would have been worse for Sri Lanka as they witnessed an embarrassing collapse whereas batting first at  Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Trent Boult‘s early strikes after which spectacular spells from spin all-rounders Mitchell Santner and  Rachin Ravindra put Sri Lanka down to 9 wickets with simply 128 runs.

But a sensational 43-run stand for the tenth wicket from Maheesh Theekshana and Dilshan Madhushanka helped Sri Lanka rating 171 runs. Theekshana remained unbeaten on 38 runs off 91 balls whereas Madushanka scored 19 runs off 48 balls. The duo confronted 87 balls for the final wicket and pulled off a file for essentially the most balls confronted for the nineteenth wicket in World Cup history.

Most balls confronted for a tenth wicket partnership in World Cup history:

1. 87 balls – Maheesh Theekshana and Dilshan Madhushanka vs New Zealand, Bengaluru, 2023
2. 71 balls – Tim de (*91*) and Jeroen Smits vs England, East London, 2003
3. 62 balls – Brad Haddin and Pat Cummins vs New Zealand, Auckland, 2015
4. 60 balls – James Franklin and Jeetan Patel vs Sri Lanka, Kingston, 2007

Theekshana has just lately proved his batting abilities with spectacular cameos down the order. Theekshana scored his highest ODI rating by including an unbeaten 38 runs at the moment and confronted 91 balls to deny New Zealand early success. Theekshana has now confronted essentially the most balls whereas batting at no.9 place or under in ODI cricket history. 

Most balls confronted from No.9 or under in an ODI innings in World Cup history

1. 91* balls – Maheesh Theekshana vs New Zealand, 2023
2. 83 balls – Andy Bichel vs New Zealand, 2003
3. 82 balls – Imran Khan vs England, 1979

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