As their respective final games of the T20 World Cup 2024 were set to take place, both Sri Lanka and the Netherlands went into match number 38 with a sense of pride.
Following a dismal start to the tournament, the Lankan Lions emerged victorious on Monday, June 17, defeating the opposition by an impressive 83 runs. The main contributor to this victory was Charith Asalanka, who amassed a quick 46 off of just 21 balls, leading the Wanindu Hasaranga-led team to a score of 201/6 after 20 overs that was above par.
After losing his partner Pathum Nissanka on the opening ball of the innings, opener Kusal Mendis also scored 46 off 29 balls. Additionally, Angelo Mathews and captain Hasaranga contributed usefully in the latter part of the innings. Logan Van Beek took two wickets in the interim, but his economy raised questions. Paul Van Meekeren, Tom Pringle, Aryan Dutt, and Vivian Kingma were the other bowlers who split a wicket apiece.
Max O’Dowd and Michael Levitt gave a solid start to the chase, keeping the needed run-rate in mind, but the Dutch faced a formidable challenge ahead of them. They were down to 71/5 after O’Dowd was dismissed in the fifth over, and one wicket rapidly demanded another. With three wickets added to his tally, slingy pacer Nuwan Thushara was the most important player with the ball, while Mathisha Pathirana and Maheesh Theekshana split four wickets apiece.
After 16.4 overs, van Meekeren was the last wicket to fall, trapped in front of his pads by Thushara, and Edwards & Co were swept out for 118. The Sri Lankans won by 83 runs in a one-sided match, and Asalanka was named Player of the Match for his brilliant knock and two outstanding catches in the field.
Wanindu Hasaranga, Winning Skipper, said:
This win is very healthy for us after the first two games. We all saw the game last night where the wicket was really good. Wanted to put a score of 160-plus. We all know with our bowling attack it’s a good total. In first two games, we lost 3-4 wickets in first six overs. Today we batted well in first six overs. He (Asalanka) has a very good talent and he proved today what he can do, especially in middle overs and the end. Kusal Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva also played a good part.
Scott Edwards, Losing Skipper, said:
The wicket was a little bit better than what we’ve been playing on. The margins of error were smaller. We missed (the mark) throughout those middle overs. We just didn’t execute. The shorter side, and the wind going that way plays a part. Little bit disappointing but it’s obviously a factor in the Caribbean. Probably a little bit of both. We had good patches throughout the tournament. You just can’t afford that against good quality sides. You’re out here to win the game. Can’t fall too far behind as they’ve got good death bowlers. Will obviously sit down and reflect after the tournament. There’s plenty to work on.
Charith Asalanka, Player of the Match, said:
To be honest, the conditions are better here than in the USA. We all enjoyed the ball coming onto the bat and that allowed us to play our shots. I’m enjoying my finishing role, it’s a tough place to bat at 5, you can come in at 10 for 3 or 100 for 3, I have to adjust to the conditions. I think I have to improve a bit more and be more consistent. Little bit disappointed about the results in the first two matches, but we enjoyed the tournament as a team.
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