There was also a feeling of disappointment on the Netherlands bench. 44 runs needed from 18 balls, only 2 wickets in hand. Where is the chance to win!
But Max O'Dowd had something different in mind. He has already played 35 balls to score 38 runs. However, he hoped to clear the tough equation in the last three overs. Binura Fernando, who came to bowl, hit boundaries in the first three balls — six, four, four.
Two more sixes off Mahesh Tikshana in the next over. A match that was almost out of reach is now within reach. But how much more can be handled by running the bat alone. Had to stop early as no big shot came from the other side.
Chasing Sri Lanka's 162 for 6, the Netherlands were restricted to 146 for 9. Despite being unbeaten on 71 from 53 balls, O'Dowd was a 16-run loser.
With this victory, Sri Lanka reached the Super Twelve of the T20 World Cup. However, the chances of the losing Netherlands are not over. In the other match of the day, the Netherlands will advance to the next round if the UAE beat Namibia.
If they win, Namibia will advance to Super Twelve in run rate.
After winning the toss and coming down to bat, Patum Nishanka struggled to score runs from the beginning. After Nishanka got out for 14 runs off 21 balls, the others had to struggle the same. But Kushal, holding one end, was batting against different wickets and different bowling!
He played an innings of 79 runs off 44 balls before being dismissed in the second ball of the 20th over. It was his ninth fifty of his T20 career, with 5 fours and 5 sixes. Sri Lanka scored 102 runs in the last 10 overs thanks to Kushal's skill at the end. Apart from Kushal, the other 7 batsmen of the team scored 79 runs. Charit Asalanka scored the second highest 31 runs off 30 balls.
5.821 SRY