Sri Lanka had one last hurrah delivering a knockout punch to reigning world champions the West Indies by 20 runs going on the havoc of 189 for 3 and restricting their opponents to 169 for 8 in the 35th Super 12 match of the seventh edition of the ICC T20 World Cup played at the Zayed Cricket Stadium.
The victory, their second in the crunch Super 12 stage from Group 1, mounted by a 93-run second wicket partnership between Player of the Match Charith Asalanka who made 68 off 41 balls rounded by 8 boundaries and a six and Pathum Nissanka 51 off 41 containing 5 boundaries, effectively threw the West Indians out of the tournament with the reigning champs last hopes of making the final four getting skewed up despite a 54-ball cameo 81 by middle order batsman Shimron Hetmeyer. Having taken strike with his side reeling on 77 for 4 after 11.1 overs, Hetmeyer’s valiant late effort laced with 8 hits to the ropes and 4 sixes was undone by wickets falling around him.
Put into bat, Sri Lanka’s openers Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Janith Perera who made 29 off 21 inclusive of 2 fours and a six, put on 42 off 5.2 overs when Perera was caught and bowled by Andre Russel. Skipper Dasun Shanaka coming in at No.4 struck a rapid unbeaten 25 off 14 balls that included 2 boundaries and a six with Chamika Karunaratne unbeaten on 3.
For the Lankans already out of the tournament, the win nevertheless showcased the emergence of a new Sri Lankan order muscled largely by its young brigade. To the fore again with the ball was leg spin wizard Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva spot on with 2 for 19 well supported by Binura Fernando claiming 2 for 24 and Chamika Karunaratne 2 for 43.
CHIEF SCORES:
Sri Lanka 189/3 (20 Overs) RR: 9.44
(Charith Asalanka 68, Pathum Nissanka 51, Kusal Janith Perera 29, Dasun Shanaka 25, Chamika Karunaratne n.o. 3, Andre Russel 2/33)
West Indies 169/8 (20 Overs) RR: 8.45
(Shimron hetmeyer n.o. 81, Nicholas Pooran 46, Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva 2/19, Binura Fernando claiming 2/24, Chamika Karunaratne 2/ 43)
