The second T20I match between Sri Lanka and England witnessed an unusual situation when Charith Asalanka faced crowd harassment. While he was fielding near the boundary, a Sri Lanka support staff member brought him water, prompting the crowd to react.
“He couldn’t even score 2 runs. Don’t give him any water.”
Watch the video here:
The reactions from fans spread quickly across social media. Many debated the incident, arguing that Asalanka received too much criticism during his tough period.
What Happened in the SL vs ENG 2nd T20I
Sri Lanka set a challenging target of 189 runs, losing 5 wickets in their 20 overs against England. Asalanka batted lower in the order, scoring 28 runs off 22 balls, with four boundaries, which helped elevate Sri Lanka’s total but still left the crowd dissatisfied.
Rain interrupted England’s chase, reducing it to 17 overs, with a new target of 168. England won by six wickets using the DLS method, taking a commanding lead in the series. Sri Lanka’s bowlers struggled to defend their total, despite solid performances from Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, and Pavan Rathnayake.
Asalanka’s T20I Career and Form Issues
Charith Asalanka has been an essential player for Sri Lanka’s T20 team since debuting in 2021. He has played 74 T20I matches, scoring 1,426 runs with an average of 22.63 and a strike rate of 126.3. He has made six half-centuries but has yet to score a T20I hundred.
His recent performance is concerning. In his last five T20I matches, Asalanka hasn’t turned his starts into substantial scores. The public criticism arises as fans express their frustration over his current form.
