Zimbabwe needed 20 runs off the final over of the game to level the series. Luke Jongwe hit a six off the first ball of Angelo Mathews’ over, which was also a no-ball, before striking a four and another six off the following two deliveries. With the equation down to three needed from three, Sri Lanka’s chances of securing the series were fast slipping away.

However, off the third legal delivery of Mathews’ over, Jongwe skied the ball high in the air looking for another boundary. Theekshana called for the ball and steadied himself underneath it. As the ball fell directly to him, he grasped at it but wasn’t able to safely pouch it. The ball instead fell straight through his hands, ricocheting off his forearm before falling to the floor.

The drop allowed the batters to come through for a single, and prompted a furious reaction from Sri Lanka head coach Chris Silverwood in the dugout. Silverwood smashed the book he was holding on the floor in response, having previously looked fed-up at the runs conceded off the first half of the over.

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Clive Madande went on to smash Mathews’ next ball for six, taking the game to a series-decider in Colombo tomorrow (January 18).

Watch: Chris Silverwood slams book on the floor after Theekshana drop

Theekshana 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/3vbWfTF7pM

— ` (@Santhos64i) January 17, 2024