Former champions Sri Lanka overcame preliminary difficulties by defeating Namibia by seven wickets to start their bid for a spot within the Super 12 stage of the T20 World Cup right here on Monday.
The Sri Lankan bowlers dominated the inexperienced Namibian line-up after inviting them to bat after which chased down the goal within the first spherical Group A match with 6.3 overs to spare.
Great begin from Sri Lanka #T20World Cup 2021 marketing campaign#SLVNAM | https://t.co/hUHJBqiiI0 pic.twitter.com/gHrsgg4VKj
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) 18 October 2021
The Namibian gamers, regardless of the defeat, accounted for themselves effectively as they refused to be intimidated by an skilled staff that was as soon as a drive in world cricket.
The Namibian created some waves within the powerplay overs by dismissing Pathum Nisanka (5), Kusal Pera (11) and the explosive Dinesh Chandimal (5).
Chandimal’s struggling innings ended on 5 runs.
JJ Smit manages to seek out the sting to place Namibia firmly again within the competitors#T20World Cup | #SLVNAM | https://t.co/hUHJBqiiI0 pic.twitter.com/wMphSlSBNm
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) 18 October 2021
Trumpelman strikes early for Namibia
He acquired the harmful Kusal Perera’s scalp on 11 runs at a sluggish tempo. #T20World Cup | #SLVNAM | https://t.co/hUHJBqiiI0 pic.twitter.com/bsBvPl6cL8
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) 18 October 2021
However, Avishka Fernando (30) and the gifted Bhanuka Rajapakse (42) carried their assured innings to propel the 2014 champions ahead.
Dasun Shanaka, you magnificence#SLVNAM #T20World Cup https://t.co/SueUp3xdaE
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) 18 October 2021
While Fernando relied extra on placement and timing, Rajapaksa was putting at full drive as each paid off for any hope that Namibia would have entertained after the preliminary assaults.
Rajapaksa completed the match with a six from pacer John Frylink 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 a decent line, Ruben Trumpelmann (1/27) and JJ Smit (1/7) took wickets.
The Sri Lankan opener could not sustain with the aggressive Perera’s try to clear the in-field as Smit took a fantastic catch to provide Trumpman a wicket.
Nissenka fell lbw by the hands of left-arm spinner Scholtz and Dinesh Chandimal’s poor innings was ended by Smit, giving him an edge on the keeper.
Earlier, spinners Mahesh Thekshana (3/25) and Wanindu Hasaranga (2/24), one of many world’s high spinners, proved to be too scorching for the Namibian batsmen, who struggled to discover a approach out of the Lankan assault. did.
Thikshana has his third scalp of the match as he cleans up the frilink ️
Some nice bowling from the spinner!#T20World Cup | #SLVNAM | https://t.co/hUHJBqiiI0 pic.twitter.com/K2S6GInim4
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) 18 October 2021
The quick bowlers additionally did a great job preserving the opposition batsmen in a decent grip.
Only three Namibian batsmen reached the double digit mark once they had been despatched out to bat. In the face of some powerful bowling by the Lankan quick bowlers, he couldn’t rating as quick as he needed.
Openers Stephen Byrd (7) and Jane Green (8) fell inside the powerplay, scoring solely 30 runs, with Thekshana dismissing each.
Craig Williams (29 off 36 balls) and captain Gerhard Erasmus (20 off 19 balls) shared a 39-run stand for the third wicket.
However, Namibia had been diminished to 84 for six within the sixteenth over after falling to Erasmus pacer Lahiru Kumara.
Veteran all-rounder David Wiese, who was anticipated to be excessive, lasted solely seven balls and was despatched again by pacer Chamika Karunaratne (1/17).
Sri Lankan gamers wore black armbands in the course of the match as a tribute to former captain Bandula Varnapura, who handed away earlier within the day.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
