The 41st match of the ODI World Cup 2023 between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru saw the Blackcaps restrict the Islanders to an approachable total of 171 runs. Trent Boult emerged as the most successful bowler for New Zealand and was the chief destructor in bowling out the Sri Lankan team.
With chances of the Kiwis chasing down the target with ease, the disappointment has loomed over Pakistan fans as it will dent the Green Team’s hopes for a spot in the semi-finals and netizens around the world sparked a meme fest to capture the essence of the moment.
Sri Lankan struggles
Asked to bat first, Sri Lanka’s batting woes were evident from the early stages of the match. Losing wickets at regular intervals, they found themselves grappling at 171 for 10 in 46.4 overs. The fall of wickets read like a script from a cricketing drama, with each dismissal adding more pressure on the Sri Lankan side. Notable collapses included Pathum Nissanka at 3-1 (1.5 overs) and Angelo Mathews at 104-6 (16.4 overs). As the wickets tumbled, the New Zealand bowlers capitalized on every opportunity.
Although Kusal Perera and Maheesh Theekshana tried to hold the fort with scores of 51 (28) and 38 (91), the lethal bowling attack led by Boult (3/37) made sure Sri Lanka faced an uphill battle.
Also READ: Yuvraj Singh’s cheeky take on Virat Kohli’s football skills and comparison with the Portugal star
Impact on Pakistan’s semi-final chances
The modest total of Sri Lanka and New Zealand’s probable high chances of securing a comprehensive victory has sent shockwaves through the hopes of Pakistan’s qualification for the semi-finals. The win effectively will diminish Pakistan’s chances, intensifying the competition.
The memes take over
Netizens wasted no time turning the match into a meme-worthy spectacle, adding a touch of entertainment to the tension. From creative graphics depicting Pakistan fans nervously watching the game to hilarious comparisons between the Sri Lankan batting collapse and various situations, social media platforms were flooded with humour.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Skipper will be watching this game. Sri Lanka didn’t performed according to our expectations, They just broke our hearts.#NZvsSL #NZvSL pic.twitter.com/wGJCEDt9t2
— 🏏🇵🇰 (@ItxmeZuni) November 9, 2023
HOPE🔥♥️.#CWC23 #NZvSL #SLvsNZ pic.twitter.com/DLWhHDJrAw
— Shaharyar Ejaz 🏏 (@SharyOfficial) November 9, 2023
#NZLvsSL #NZvSL pic.twitter.com/nfSje0HRzk
— Fourth Umpire (@UmpireFourth) November 9, 2023
NZ bowlers after destroying the expectations of Pakistanis 😁😂 #NZvsSL #QudratKaNizam #NZvSL #SLvsNZ #Resign
— (@IacGaurav) November 9, 2023
Pakistan team and their fans returning home 😂😂#NZvSL #CWC2023INDIA pic.twitter.com/ppTe7JwxTS
— Lokesh Kr Meena (@iamlokesh000) November 9, 2023
PCT : After today’s match #NZvSL pic.twitter.com/8c5LJ6jSMY
— Muhammad Onais (@OnaisXiddiqui90) November 9, 2023
Now It will be India vs New Zealand in Semifinal .
Meanwhile Pakistanis Going back to Karachi be like-😂😂#NZvsSL #NZvSL #QudratKaNizam IND vs NZ #SLvsNZ #SriLanka Chinnaswamy #srilankacricketboard pic.twitter.com/X7ghBtqZCi— Lucky chaudhary (@Luckych27) November 9, 2023
Mentally i am still here..! #NZLvsSL #NZvSL #WorldCup2023 pic.twitter.com/Xq8X6cevmT
— Nawaz 🇵🇰 (@Rnawaz31888) November 9, 2023
Finally Karachi Bus stand🔥
Kane Williamson and Rohit Sharma after Lumber one team Pakistan qualified for Karachi bus stand!#QudratKaNizam #SLvsNZ
#NZvsSL #NZvSL pic.twitter.com/9Ks8vPQqn9— Saurabh Singh (@100rabhsingh781) November 9, 2023
Srilankan team booked Pakistani players flight to Karachi.#NZvsSL #QudratKaNizam #NZvSL #SLvsNZ #Resign
— (@IacGaurav) November 9, 2023
The most awaited interview of Babar Azam after Pakistan officially disqualified from World Cup!#NZvSL #SLvsNZ #NZvsSL
#QudratKaNizam pic.twitter.com/nMYCT3RWM2— Saurabh Singh (@100rabhsingh781) November 9, 2023
Pakistani fans praying for rain #SLvsNZ #NZvSL #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/ALYM0igf2P
— EPIC (@Koduri_526) November 9, 2023
If New Zealand chases this target in 35 Overs, then Pakistan will need to chase:
120 in 6 overs or 200 in 7 Overs against England to qualify#NZvsSL #NZvSL #CWC #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/H80JguS1ve— Praneet Samaiya (@praneetsamaiya) November 9, 2023
Alexa play * chan se jo tootay koi sapna* 🥺💔
Being PCT fan is never easy! Never was, never will be 💔#PakistanCricket #NZvSL #CWC23INDIA pic.twitter.com/cUrQssWh2c— Rohi -🇵🇰 (@Rohi_Bhatti) November 9, 2023
PAKISTANI FANS RIGHT NOW
Whre is QUDRAT KA NIZAM
😫😫😂#NZvsSL#NZvSL#ظلم_کا_بدلہ_ووٹ_سے pic.twitter.com/QVwcootAxn— Tara Malik (@TaraMalik456789) November 9, 2023
Also READ: Adam Gilchrist shares his insights on how to beat India in ODI World Cup 2023
#CWC #Netizens #spark #meme #fest #uncertainty #rises #Pakistans #semifinal #chances #Zealand #restrict #Sri #Lanka #171run #total
