Former champions Sri Lanka overcame preliminary hiccups to subdue an inexperienced but spirited Namibia by seven wickets, starting their quest to make the Super 12 stage of the T20 World Cup in proper earnest, right here on Monday.
The Sri Lankan bowlers dominated the inexperienced Namibian line-up to bundle them out for a paltry 96 after inviting them to bat after which overhauled the goal with 6.3 overs to spare in a Group A match of the primary spherical.
A roaring begin for Sri Lanka of their #T20WorldCup 2021 marketing campaign 🔥#SLvNAM | https://t.co/hUHJBqiiI0 pic.twitter.com/gHrsgg4VKj
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) October 18, 2021
The Namibian gamers, regardless of defeat, gave an excellent account of themselves as they refused to be intimidated by an skilled staff which was as soon as a pressure in world cricket.
The Namibian created just a few ripples once they removed Pathum Nissanka (5), Kusal Perra (11) and explosive Dinesh Chandimal (5) inside Powerplay overs.
Chandimal’s struggling knock involves an finish for five.
JJ Smit manages to seek out an edge to place Namibia firmly again into the competition 💪#T20WorldCup | #SLvNAM | https://t.co/hUHJBqiiI0 pic.twitter.com/wMphSlSBNm
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) October 18, 2021
Trumpelmann strikes early for Namibia 💪
He will get the scalp of the harmful Kusal Perera for 11 with a slower one. #T20WorldCup | #SLvNAM | https://t.co/hUHJBqiiI0 pic.twitter.com/bsBvPl6cL8
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) October 18, 2021
However, Avishka Fernando (30) and gifted Bhanuka Rajapakse (42) steered the 2014 champions by means of with their assured knocks.
Dasun Shanaka, you magnificence 👌#SLvNAM #T20WorldCup https://t.co/SueUp3xdaE
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) October 18, 2021
While Fernando relied extra on placement and timing, Rajapaksa was all brawn, hanging with nice energy because the duo put paid to any hopes the Namibian would have entertained after the early strikes.
Rajapaksa fittingly completed the match with a six off pacer Jan Frylinck as Sri Lanka joined Ireland on two factors after the primary day of matches in Group A.
For Namibia, spinner Bernard Scholtz (1/16) who bowled in a good line, Ruben Trumpelmann (1/27) and JJ Smit (1/7) picked up the wickets.
The Lankan openers couldn’t get going with the aggressive Perera’s try and clear the in-field didn’t come by means of as Smit took an excellent catch to present Trumplemann the wicket.
Nissanka fell LBW to left-arm spinner Scholtz and Dinesh Chandimal’s scratchy innings was ended by Smit, who received him to edge one to the keeper.
Earlier, spinners Mahesh Theekshana (3/25) and Wanindu Hasaranga (2/24), one in every of world’s prime spinners,proved too sizzling for the Namibian batters, who struggled to discover a well past the Lankan assault.
Theekshana has his third scalp of the match as he cleans up Frylinck ☝️
Some sensible bowling from the 🇱🇰 spinner!#T20WorldCup | #SLvNAM | https://t.co/hUHJBqiiI0 pic.twitter.com/K2S6GInim4
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) October 18, 2021
The pacers additionally did an excellent job by retaining the opposition batters on a good leash, proper from the phrase go.
Only three Namibian batters reached double-digit figures after they have been despatched into bat. They couldn’t rating as rapidly as they might have preferred within the face of some tight bowling from the Lankan pacers.
The openers Stephen Baard (7) and Zane Green (8) fell inside the Powerplay, wherein solely 30 runs have been scored with Theekshana dismissing each of them.
Craig Williams (29 off 36 balls) and skipper Gerhard Erasmus (20 off 19 balls) steadied the ship with a 39-run partnership for the third wicket.
However, the autumn of Erasmus to pacer Lahiru Kumara sparked a collapse as Namibia slipped to 84 for six within the sixteenth over.
Experienced all-rounder David Wiese, of whom loads was anticipated, lasted solely seven balls earlier than being despatched again by paceman Chamika Karunaratne (1/17).
The Sri Lanka gamers wore black arm bands throughout the match as a tribute to former skipper Bandula Warnapura, who handed away earlier within the day.
