Sri Lanka defeat Netherlands by 16 runs in match 9 of ICC T20 World Cup 2022 and qualify for the super 12 stage. Netherlands fought hard but ended up on the losing side. A collective effort from the Lankan lions see them roaring past the Dutch team as they top Group B and enter the super 12 stage with a statement.
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Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first. Lahiru Kumara, Binura Fernando featured in the playing XI replacing injured Dushmantha Chameera and Madushanka.
Kusal Mendis Power Sri Lanka to 162 Runs
Sri Lanka were of to a cautious start in the powerplay scoring 36 runs. Paul van Meekeren stuck twice in two balls dismissing inform Pathum Nissanka and Dananjaya de Silva in successive balls. Lanka were on the back foot with the two quick wickets. Kusal Mendis and Charith Aslanka rebuilt the innings with a 60 run partnership for the 3rd wicket. At the 10 over mark Sri Lanka were 60/2.
Bas de Leede dismissed set batsman Charith Aslanka for 31 runs in the 15th over. Kusal Mendis accelerated in the backend of the innings notching up yet another T20I 50. Mendis smashed 5 sixes and 5 fours in his knock of 79. Sri Lanka scored 102 runs in the last 10 overs.
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Max O Dowd the lone fighter for Netherlands
Netherlands were off to a pretty slow start as they struggled against the swing bowling of Binura Fernando. Explosive batsman Vikram Jit Singh succumbed to the dot pressure as he hit one straight to short mid wicket. Sri Lanka built the pressure on the Netherland batsman as a result Bas de Leede, Colin Ackerman failed to up the scoring rate and fell to the disciplined bowling of Lahiru Kumara and Wanindu Hasranga.
Max O Dowd and captain Scott Edwards fought hard as the duo added 28 runs in quick time before Edwards was cleaned up by Binura Fernando for 21 runs. Max O Dowd was running out of partners on the other end as he kept fighting till the last over. He remained unbeaten on 71 runs in 53 balls smashing 6 fours and 3 sixes. A valiant effort from the Dutch against an expericned Sri Lankan side.
Wanindu Hasranga was once again the top performer in the field for the Lankans as he picked up 3/28 in his 4 overs. Maheesh Theekshana picked up 2 wickets.
Captain’s Corner
Sri Lanka Captain Dasun Shanaka : We knew that we could be the number 1 in this group, but we missed out in the first match. The boys have done well though, especially the bowling group. I knew the wicket was two-paced, so we wanted to bowl well in the first 10 overs and then control the game.
Netherlands Captain Scott Edwards: Â We bowled pretty well in the powerplay, little unlucky that the chances didn’t go to hand, let it slip a bit towards the middle and back-end. I’d have loved to go through, (on qualification) it’s not in our hands anymore and that’s a disappointment.
Player of the Match Kusal Mendis: The wicket was a bit slow, so we needed to take some time and I could get the runs after 10 overs. Asalanka started well, he understood the way the wicket played and I could get going with a few boundaries.
Top Performers
- Kusal Mendis – 79 Runs
- Max O Dowd – 71 Runs
- Wanindu Hasranga – 3/18
