* Netherlands Knocked Out After Bangladesh Beat Nepal
By Dwayne Ferreira
Sri Lanka concluded their 2024 T20 World Cup campaign with a dominant 83-run victory over the Netherlands in Gros Islet. This win placed them third in Group D with three points, trailing behind South Africa and Bangladesh, who advanced to the Super Eight after defeating Nepal.
Sri Lanka’s comprehensive performance was spearheaded by their batsmen and concluded decisively by their bowlers. Nuwan Thushara led the bowling attack with figures of 3 for 24, supported by Maheesh Theekshana, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dasun Shanaka, and Matheesha Pathirana. The Netherlands, chasing 202, were all out for 118, sealing their elimination from the tournament.
Charith Asalanka ignited Sri Lanka’s innings with a blistering 46 off 21 balls, following solid starts from Kusal Mendis (46 off 29) and Dhananjaya de Silva (34 off 26). Angelo Mathews (30 off 15) and Hasaranga (20 off six) added crucial late runs, propelling Sri Lanka to 201 for 6. This made them the second team to surpass 200 runs in the tournament.
Despite losing Pathum Nissanka early, Sri Lanka maintained a steady run rate through efficient strike rotation. The powerplay yielded 45 runs despite limited boundaries. By the halfway mark, Sri Lanka were 74 for 2, setting the stage for a late surge. Dhananjaya de Silva’s three consecutive boundaries off Paul van Meekeren in the 13th over accelerated the scoring, and Sri Lanka amassed 77 runs in the last five overs, thanks to Asalanka, Mathews, and Hasaranga capitalizing on the Dutch bowlers’ inconsistent lengths.
The Netherlands’ chase briefly flickered to life with Michael Levitt’s aggressive 31 off 23 balls. Levitt, a promising 20-year-old, showcased his talent with impressive shots, including a stunning back-foot cover drive for six off Theekshana. However, his inexperience showed when he was stumped charging Theekshana. Following Levitt’s dismissal and that of Max O’Dowd in the powerplay, the Dutch batting lineup struggled to build momentum.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers dismantled the Netherlands’ lineup. Thushara struck early, and Theekshana and Pathirana maintained pressure with tight bowling. Hasaranga’s double strike left the Netherlands at 71 for 6, and despite Scott Edwards’ resilient 31 off 24 balls, the wickets tumbled around him. The Netherlands were bowled out in the 17th over, managing only 118 runs.
Sri Lanka’s commanding win underscored their batting depth and bowling prowess, ending their campaign on a high note. Despite the Netherlands’ spirited effort, they were outclassed by a superior Sri Lankan side, who showcased their potential with both bat and ball.
This emphatic victory highlighted Sri Lanka’s capabilities and concluded their T20 World Cup journey with optimism, while the Netherlands bowed out, reflecting on a challenging yet promising tournament experience.
Chief Scores
Sri Lanka 201 for 6 in 20 overs (Kusal Mendis 46, Charith Asalanka 46, Angelo Mathews 30 not out, Wanindu Hasaranga 20 not out, Logan Van Beek 2 for 45)
Netherlands 118 all out in 18.4 overs (Michael Levitt 311, Scott Edwards 31, Nuwan Thushara 3 for 24, Matheesha Pathirana 2 for 12, Wanindu Hasaranga 2 for 25)
Player of the Match – Charith Asalanka
