2018 saw the repercussions of Bangladesh’s “Naagin” dance, which they did after defeating Sri Lanka in the Nidahas Trophy’s final league match. Then, in the match to decide the title against the Tigers, Dinesh Karthik’s last-ball six enabled India to complete an unbelievable chase. Four years later, the now-famous dance is still making headlines, as Sri Lanka created a similar chapter by defeating Bangladesh by two wickets in the Asia Cup Group B match in Dubai.
On Thursday, Sri Lanka easily advanced into the Super Four stage of the six-team tournament thanks to steady performances from Kusal Mendis and captain Dasun Shanaka. Chasing 184 in a game they had to win, Sri Lanka relied on a critical 54-run partnership between Mendis (60) and Shanaka (45), and with the support of their tail, they were able to reach their goal with four balls remaining.
Bangladesh was eliminated from the competition by Chamika Karunaratne, who scored 16 off of 10 balls, and Asitha Fernando, who was unbeaten on 10. Fernando scored two runs off a no-ball in the penultimate over when Sri Lanka needed eight runs, setting up raucous celebrations in the locker room.
Cameras soon after the victory showed a fired-up Karunaratne inventing the “Naagin” dance to make fun of Bangladesh.
