Wanindu Hasaranga’ striking fifty secured Sri Lanka their place in Super 12s with a stupendous 70-run win over Ireland in a Group A First Round match of the ICC T20 WC on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi.
Preceding champions Sri Lanka made their entry into the Super 12 stage of the T20 World Cup on Wednesday after squeezing Ireland by 70 runs in the Group A round match in Abu Dhabi. Dasun Shanaka’s team proved too good for their opponents i.e Irelad as they made their second successive win.
Sri Lanka pulled their socks up from a poor score of 8-3 and posted a resplendent 171-7 with Wanindu Hasaranga making 71 runs and opener Pathum Nissanka making 61. Ireland had a promising performance when they dismissed three Sri Lankan batsmen in the first 10 balls. Hasaranga’s magnificent strikes led a counter-attack with his 47-ball blitzkrieg, which comprised one six and 10 boundaries, including consecutive four boundaries against Simi Singh. Sri Lanka were awe-inspiring with the ball and led Ireland to the pavilion for 101 in 18.3 overs with Maheesh Theekshana (3-17). Ireland struggled to get runs and were 32/3 in the fourth over. Andy Balbirnie battled alone with a valiant 41 and the match was almost over for Ireland when their captain was dismissed by Fernando at backward point.
Earlier on Wednesday, in another Group A match, Namibia defeated Netherlands by six wickets, making their first victory in the tournament. Netherlands are now out of the competition and the conqueror of Friday’s match between Namibia and Ireland will headway to the next stage. The lankans will be facing Netherlands tomorrow in the 12th match of the group stage league and their strength and wisdom makes the confident enough to win the next match too!
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