Defending champions West Indies had been eradicated from the semi-final race within the T20 World Cup after a 20-run loss to Sri Lanka right here on Thursday as their ageing stars did not recreate the magic of the previous.
Going into the sport with two losses in three video games, the West Indies had been all the time up in opposition to it and Sri Lanka out-batted them by amassing 189 for 3 on batting floor.
Pathum Nissanka (51 off 41) and Charith Asalanka (68 off 41) struck chic half-centuries to offer Sri Lanka the upper-hand. The West Indies might solely attain 169 for eight regardless of Shimron Hetmyer’s unbeaten 81 off 54 balls.
Leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga as soon as once more starred with the ball taking two wickets for 19 runs in 4 overs.
It’s the outcome we had hoped for! 🎉️Sri Lanka ended #T20WorldCup 2021 marketing campaign with a superb victory! 👊
Thank you to all our followers to your assist! 🙌#RoaringForGlory #ApeKollo 🏆️ pic.twitter.com/DIa4x1KP3Y
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) November 4, 2021
The West Indies, who’ve received two of the final three world titles, are actually mathematically out of the competitors with two factors from 4 video games. Their final sport is in opposition to Australia on Saturday.
Sri Lanka batters performed with freedom and aptitude to arrange a frightening goal which show to be too steep for West Indies, who might by no means get better from a poor begin to the run chase.
For Sri Lanka, it was their first win of the Super 12 stage and so they go dwelling providing hopes for a vibrant future.
The West Indies’ forgettable marketing campaign confirmed the necessity to look past greats like Chris Gayle and Dwayne Bravo whereas rebuilding forward of the 2022 version.
Gayle’s struggles continued and he was the primary to depart for West Indies. Pacer Binura Fernando eliminated Gayle and Evin Lewis within the second over to place excessive stress on the opposition.
Nicholas Pooran (46) and Hetmyer batted effectively however wickets at common intervals saved the West Indies all the time behind within the chase.
Earlier, the in-form Nissanka and Asalanka loved batting on the floor.
Nissanka performed some outrageous strokes en route his third half-century of the match. If the change hit was not daring sufficient, the opener walked approach throughout the off stump to whip Ravi Rampaul in direction of backward sq. leg for a boundary.
Asalanka too struck a chic half-century and one of many highlights of his innings was a straight slog sweep off Dwayne Bravo for a six.
With nothing to lose, Sri Lankan batters performed to their promising potential and made the West Indies assault look pedestrian.
They additionally displayed that the way forward for Sri Lankan batting is in succesful arms and with extra expertise on the highest degree, they are going to solely get higher.
Sri Lanka made 48 for one within the Powerplay with the lack of Kusal Perera, who performed effectively for his 29 off 21 balls. Andre Russell took an excellent catch to dismiss him.
Nissanka and Asalanka then received collectively and with their free flowing strokeplay, put the West Indies assault underneath great stress.
After Nissanka’s dismissal, Asalanka went ballistic. In the 18th over, he slog swept Bravo for a straight six earlier than smoking one over the bowler’s head for a boundary.
Skipper Dasun Shanka additionally chipped in with an unbeaten 25 off 14 balls within the demise overs.