GALLE: Pakistan leg-spinner Yasir Shah has sparked the ball of the century debate with his magical delivery to right-handed Sri Lankan batter Kusal Mendis on the third day of the ongoing first Test, here on Monday.
Veteran leg-spinner Yasir, who made his return to international cricket after a gap of almost one year, took the internet by storm with his magical delivery to right-handed batter Mendis.
Mendis, who was set on the crease, having scored 76 runs, fell victim to Yasir in the 56th over as the latter bowled an astounding delivery to put an end to his valiant inning.
The leg-spinner pitched the ball outside the leg-stump which spun sharply and castled the right-handed batter’s off-stump.
Following his magical delivery, a new debate about the ball of the century has erupted, with both Pakistan Cricket and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) sharing footage of Yasir castling Mendis with a beauty.
“Just 22 years in, but do you think this will be the ball of the century?” Pakistan Cricket wrote while sharing Yasir’s magical delivery.
Just 22 years in, but do you think this will be the ball of the century❓ 🤔#SLvPAK pic.twitter.com/6hlg0M88pl
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) July 18, 2022
The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), on the other hand, asked the netizens whether the delivery could be in contention for the ball of the century, while also claiming it reminded the viewers of Shane Warne’s ‘Ball of the Century’.
“Ball of the Century candidate? Yasir Shah stunned Kusal Mendis with a stunning delivery which reminded the viewers of Shane Warne’s ‘Ball of the Century’,” SLC wrote on Twitter.
Ball of the Century candidate❓
Yasir Shah stunned Kusal Mendis with a stunning delivery which reminded the viewers of Shane Warne’s ‘Ball of the Century’.#SLvPAK pic.twitter.com/uMPcua7M5E
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) July 18, 2022
Besides the two cricket boards, several cricket fans have also taken to Twitter and praised the magical delivery, while some were quick to term it the ‘Ball of the Century’.
Ball of Century #YasirShah https://t.co/LH6aJME7VO
— Waseem Dahar (@waseem_dahar94) July 18, 2022
Definitely a “Ball of the century “ nominee worthy 🔥#SLvsPAK #CricketTwitter #YasirShah pic.twitter.com/r8Z0qZoBft
— Usman Jamil (@thtpakistaniguy) July 18, 2022
A user, on the other hand, termed Yasir’s magical delivery ‘Ball of the Year’, while claiming that the 36-year-old is still the best leg-spinner in red-ball cricket.
https://twitter.com/ArslanTahir/status/1549098791751630851
It is pertinent to mention here that Sri Lanka have attained command of the ongoing first Test as the hosts finished at 329/9 on the third day with a combined lead of 333 runs against the Green Shirts.
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