Wanindu Hasaranga’s rearguard fifty was fantastically complemented by a medical bowling show as Sri Lanka sealed their place in Super 12s with an enormous 70-run win over Ireland in a gaggle A primary spherical match of the ICC T20 World Cup right here on Wednesday.
Asked to bat first, Sri Lanka recovered from 8 for 3 to make 171 for 7 in 20 overs after which returned to dismiss Ireland for 101 in 18.3 overs to seize the highest place in Group A with 4 factors from two matches.
Sri Lanka have certified for the Super 12 🔥
Which different aspect will be part of them from Group A? 🤔#T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/3JVAElBxXP
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) October 20, 2021
Ireland, however, will now should beat Namibia of their closing group match to make it to the subsequent stage. Namibia had shocked the Netherlands by six wickets earlier within the day.
Sri Lanka are by way of to the Super 12 stage 💪#T20WorldCup | #SLvIRE | https://t.co/xgqgWxHLwY pic.twitter.com/oE9rPQSUsr
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) October 20, 2021
Hasaranga did the star flip for Sri Lanka as he shared a 123-run partnership with opener Pathum Nissanka (61) to carry the previous champions to a aggressive whole of 171 for 7.
Defending the full, the Lankan spinners had been on the forefront because the Ireland batters gave the impression to be all at sea in opposition to Maheesh Theekshana (3 for 17 from 4 overs) and Hasaranga (1/12) and will by no means rating freely.
The tempo trio of Lahiru Kumara (2/22), Chamika Karunaratne (2/27) and Dushmanta Chameera (1/16) additionally made issues powerful for the Ireland batters.
Theekshana continues his wealthy vein of type 👊
He dismisses the damaging Paul Stirling for 7.#T20WorldCup | #SLvIRE | https://t.co/xgqgWxHLwY pic.twitter.com/bKmtZeeNuz
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) October 20, 2021
Skipper Andrew Balbirnie (41) fought a lonely battle for Ireland as the opposite batters failed to deal with the formidable Lankan assault.
Chasing 172 for victory, Ireland didn’t get the specified begin, dropping wickets rapidly within the powerplay.
The big-hitting Kevin O’Brien (5) perished within the opening over, top-edging one from Chamika Karunaratne to Theekshana.
The stocky Paul Stirling (7) smacked a boundary earlier than sweeping off-spinner Theekshana straight into the arms of Lahiru Kumara.
Hasaranga then struck along with his second ball as his googly crashed the stumps of Gareth Delany (2) to depart Ireland at 32 for 3.
Balbirnie and Curtis Campher (24) led a fightback with a 53-run fourth wicket partnership earlier than Theekshana broke the stand to finish all hopes for Ireland.
Earlier, opting to bowl, left-arm medium-pacer Josh Little (4/23) picked up two wickets firstly to depart Sri Lanka toterring at 8 for 3 however Hasaranga (71) got here up with an aesthetic knock beneath stress to rescue the previous champions.
Hasaranga launched right into a counterattack and got here up with correct cricketing photographs to maintain the scoreboard ticking.
Hasaranga perishes after a superb knock of 71!
Ireland lastly get a breakthrough ☝️#T20WorldCup | #SLvIRE | https://t.co/xgqgWxHLwY pic.twitter.com/Wva7eg1Qf6
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) October 20, 2021
Hasaranga smashed his solution to a 50 from 38 balls, placing seven fours and one six to place the innings again on observe.
From overs seven to fifteen, the duo smashed over 80 runs earlier than Hasaranga fell whereas making an attempt to pressure the tempo.
Invited to bat, Sri Lanka suffered an early blow when the aggressive Kusal Perera (0) spooned a catch to the duvet fielder off the primary ball he confronted from Paul Stirling.
The skilled Dinesh Chandimal (6), who failed within the first match in opposition to Namibia, couldn’t get going but once more, dragging one from Little on to his stumps to depart Lanka at 8 for two.
It turned 8 for 3 when Avishka Fernando fell for a primary ball duck to an excellent supply from Little.
Hasaranga, who walked in on the fall of Fernando, took the assault to the Irish bowlers and smashed 4 consecutive boundaries off the primary over bowled by Simi Singh to place the Lankan innings again on observe.
Nissanka additionally complemented his associate, smashing six boundaries and a six in his 47-ball innings.
Later skipper Dasun Shanaka slammed two fours and a six in his 11-ball 21 to beef up the full.
