Pramod Madushan’s praised for ‘great game awareness’ after creative piece of running helps Sri Lanka win thriller

Pramod Madushan, playing only his second ODI, was praised for keeping his nerves under pressure and showing “great game awareness” as he sacrificed his wicket during the nail-biting Sri Lanka-Pakistan clash in the 2023 Asia Cup.

The two teams were embroiled in a virtual knockout, with the winner playing the final against India on Sunday (September 17). The game had gone down to the wire, with Sri Lanka, chasing 252 for a win, needing eight runs from the last over with three wickets in hand.

Madushan, having faced one delivery, was on strike at the start of the last over and ran a leg bye to allow Charith Asalanka, who was on 42, the opportunity to face the last five balls. Zaman Khan conceded only two runs in the first three deliveries and was bowling to Madushan again after Asalanka took a single on the third ball.

Madushan was run out on the next delivery to make Sri Lanka’s task tougher, but the manner of his dismissal was notable.

Madushan missed the slower ball from Zaman and saw his partner Asalanka set off for a bye to take the strike for the last two deliveries. Instead of running immediately, he waited in his crease and only started running towards the non-striker’s end when Asalanka was safe, ensuring the in-form batter wouldn’t be run out.

The throw came from wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan, and Asalanka would have been at risk of getting run out if Madushan had set off for a single before the former had grounded his bat. Madushan ultimately failed to reach the non-striker’s end in time and was run out.

By staying in his crease, Madushan ensured that Asalanka reached the striker’s end safely and was not at risk of being run out. If Madushan had set off early and had crossed Asalanka while running towards the non-striker’s end, Asalanka could have been run out if Rizwan broke the stumps at the striker’s end.

Asalanka went on to edge a four and hit two in the next two deliveries to hand Sri Lanka a memorable win.

Madushan’s calmness under pressure was later praised on social media by Venkatesh Prasad and R Ashwin. (Wisden)