Yasir’s magical delivery to Mendis sparks ball of the century debate
GALLE: Pakistan’s kicker Yasir Shah has sparked the ball of the century debate with his magical delivery to Sri Lankan right-handed batsman Kusal Mendis on the third day of the first ongoing Test, here on Monday.
Turning his legs and returning to international cricket after a gap of nearly a year, veteran Yasir took the internet by storm with his magical delivery to right-handed batsman Mendis.
Mendis, who was on edge having scored 76 runs, fell victim to Yasir in the 56th when the latter unleashed a jaw-dropping delivery to end his gutsy inning.
The leg-spinner lobbed the ball off the leg stump, which spun sharply and castled the right-handed hitter’s stump.
Following his magical delivery, a new ball of the century debate has erupted, with Pakistan Cricket and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) sharing footage of Yasir castled Mendis with a beauty.
“Only 22 years later, but do you think this will be the dance of the century?” Pakistan Cricket wrote while sharing Yasir’s magical delivery.
Only 22 years later, but do you think this will be the dance of the century❓ 🤔#SLvPAK pic.twitter.com/6hlg0M88pl
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) July 18, 2022
Sri Lankan Cricket (SLC), on the other hand, asked netizens if the delivery could be in contention for the ball of the century, while stating that it reminded viewers of Shane Warne’s ‘Ball of the Century’.
“Candidate for the Ball of the Century? Yasir Shah stunned Kusal Mendis with an impressive delivery that reminded viewers of Shane Warne’s ‘Dance of the Century’,” SLC wrote on Twitter.
Ball of the Century Candidate❓
Yasir Shah stunned Kusal Mendis with an impressive delivery that reminded viewers of Shane Warne’s ‘Dance of the Century’.#SLvPAK pic.twitter.com/uMPcua7M5E
— Sri Lankan Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) July 18, 2022
Apart from the two cricket boards, a number of cricket fans also took to Twitter and praised the magical delivery, while some were quick to call it the ‘Ball of the Century’.
century ball #YasirShah https://t.co/LH6aJME7VO
— محمد وسیم ڈاہر (@mwaseem00) July 18, 2022
Definitely a “Ball of the Century” worthy nominee 🔥#SLvsPAK #CricketTwitter #YasirShah pic.twitter.com/r8Z0qZoBft
— Usman Jamil (@thtpakistaniguy) July 18, 2022
One user, on the other hand, called Yasir’s magical delivery ‘Ball of the Year’, while stating that the 36-year-old is still the best red-ball cricketer.
ball of the year Yasir Shah is still the best red ball cricketer! #SLvPAK #YasirShah https://t.co/brUqWnWFXX
— Arslan 💙 (@ArslanTahir) July 18, 2022
It is pertinent to mention here that Sri Lanka took command of the first ongoing Test as the hosts finished 329/9 on day three with a combined 333-run lead against the Greenshirts.
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