Sri Lanka showed their intent once again that they are in Australia to win T20 World Cup as the Asian Champions outshined Netherlands by 16 runs in their final Group A qualifier match at the Simonds Stadium in Geelong on Thursday. Let us look at the SL Vs NED Match highlights in detail.
After defeating UAE on Tuesday, and now with a win over Netherlands. Team Sri Lanka became the first team from both groups to qualify for the Super 12 phase of the competition.
SL Vs NED Match highlights
Opted to bat, Sri Lankan openers took the advantage of batting against the less experienced side. But, they can’t take that long, as the table toppers before this match gave 2 back-to-back shocks to the Asian Champions by removing reliable Pathum Nissanka for 14 and Dhananjaya de Silva for a duck in the seventh over of the innings.
Kusal Mendis and Charith Asalanka then steadied the ship and added 60 for the third wicket before Asalanka edged the ball and walked back to pavilion after scoring 31 off 30.
Besides in pressure, Kusal Mendis didn’t stop his aggressive approach and smashed a monstrous six to complete his fifty and a four in the same over.
The partnership between Mendis and Bhanuka Rajapaksa was going good. But Bhanuka again failed to convert his start to a big inning and was caught at mid-wicket.
His 19-run knock in 13 was crucial though to guide his side to a respectable score.
138 on board in 18 overs
With 138 on board in 18 overs, Mendis opened his arms to provide a classy finishing touch and smashed 2 consecutive sixes off Fred Klaassen. He took a single on third.
The skipper Shanaka then caught on the very next ball that again put the pressure back on Sri Lanka.
Mendis started the final over with a four and again tried to add more with a slog-sweep runs but was caught behind square. The whole credit goes to the substitute van Beek. Who took an unbelievable catch even after falling on his back-side.
With that effort in count, Sri Lanka only able to add 5 more runs in the final 4 balls to post 162 for 6 in 20 overs.
Kusal Mendis was the most effective batter in Sri Lanka’s innings. As his knock of 79 in 44 set the tone for his side to cross 160-run mark.
Netherlands to chase 163 in 20 overs
In reply, Netherlands made a run-a-ball start as were at 23 without any loss in 3.4. When Theekshana provided first break through for Sri Lanka.
Then came Bas de Leede on crease, and out after hitting and shot a six four.
The star all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga then joined the party as he removed Colin Ackermann for a duck in the very next over.
Max O’Dowd was playing his steady game from one end and he got the support from Tom Cooper. Both added 25 for the fourth wicket but it was Theekshana again, who for the second time disturbed the opponent. Cooper was out for 16.
Skipper Scott Edwards tried to bring the team close to the game with a 140 strike rate knock before Fernando bowled him with a knuckle ball.
Netherlands then faced a collapse and lost 4 wickets in the next few overs. With 109 for 8 in 17 overs. Max O’Dowd, however, tried his best and collected 15 off the 18th over, 16 runs from the 19th over, and 6 off the final. He remained unbeaten in the chase and his knock of 71 in 53 deliveries was clap worthy. But it wasn’t enough to earn his side 2 points.
