On 5 September 2023, Sri Lanka played against Afghanistan in Lahore as it was the last group game of the ongoing Asia Cup. Both teams were looking for a win to qualify for the ‘Super 4’ stage. However, it was the Lankans who won the game by just two runs and fans witnessed a thriller of a match.
However, based on the hybrid model, only four matches are being played in Pakistan while nine matches are being played in Sri Lanka. India raised concerns about security threats and hence, the decision was taken and approved by the Asia Cricket Council. But, the Sri Lanka batter, Dimuth Karunaratne shared a video and a thank you tweet to the Pakistan Cricket Board. Seeing that, fans shared their views on social media.
Here is the shared tweet:
Thank you Pakistan Government & @TheRealPCB for providing maximum security for our short stay in Lahore 🙏#AsiaCup23 pic.twitter.com/xf3RFXkuCc
— Dimuth Karunarathna (@IamDimuth) September 7, 2023
Dimuth Karunaratne has scored 33 runs so far in the Asia Cup 2023
Speaking of the tweet, Karunaratne wrote: “Thank you Pakistan Government & @TheRealPCB for providing maximum security for our short stay in Lahore #AsiaCup23.” In that clash, Karunaratne scored 32 runs off 35 balls, including six fours. In this ongoing tournament, he has scored 33 runs in two innings.
After that thrilling victory, Sri Lanka skipper, Dasun Shanaka said: "It's a tough one. It's very hard to defend such a total with only four fielders
However, the first game of the ‘Super 4’ also took place in Lahore on 6 September between Pakistan and Bangladesh. Now, all the rest of the matches will happen in Sri Lanka only. The final of the tournament is scheduled to take place on 17 September.
Here is how fans have reacted:
Welcome 🇵🇰🇵🇰🇵🇰
— Ali Saqlain 🇵🇰 (@ali_saqlain006) September 7, 2023
Congratulations Dimuth For Winning Against Afghanistan in Pakistan, Hope to see Srilanka again in Pakistan😍😊
— Maze (@Maze_6999) September 7, 2023
how VIP you feel in this territory
— Mirza (@jawadzamir) September 7, 2023
Sri Lankans are always welcome in Pakistan
— Ahmad Hassan Bobak (@ahmad_bobak) September 7, 2023
Bro itne security ka matlab , nothing is well actually 😂
— Bihar_se_hai (@Bihar_se_hai) September 7, 2023
Pakistan 🇵🇰 Zindabad .
— Dr. Taha Cheema (@MuhammadTahaCh1) September 7, 2023
Beijjati kar rha hai pakistan ki 😹
— Gagan🇮🇳 (@1no_aalsi_) September 7, 2023
Nice paid tweet btw
— Ansh Shah (@asmemesss) September 7, 2023
Isse jyada security Bharat me kangana ko milti hai 😂
— Nisha (@NishaRo45_) September 7, 2023