VICTORIA: The ICC Men’s T20 world cup tournament inaugural match between Sri Lanka and Namibia ended short while ago at Kardinia Park, Geelong, Victoria. Namibia won by 55 runs by restricting Sri Lanka to just 108 runs in the 19th over chasing a target of 163 runs.
Winning the toss Sri Lankan skipper Dasun Shanaka invited Namibia to bat first. Namibia posted a fine total of 163 for 7 wickets off their 20 overs. A 70 runs partnership for the 7th wicket between J J Smit (33 runs off 16 balls) and Frylinck (44 runs off 28 balls) saw Namibia scoring a competitive score of 163 runs after initially struggling at 35 for 3 wickets. Pramod Madushan picked 2 wickets for 37 runs while Theekshana was the most economical with 1 wicket for 23 runs off his 4 overs.
It was a dismal chase by Sri Lanka where Sri Lanka only reached 108 runs from 19 overs. Sri Lanka struggled from the start and was at 21 for 3 wickets in the 4th over. Bhanuka Rajapaksa hit 20 runs off 21 balls and Skipper Shanaka hit 29 runs off 23 balls but could not save Sri Lanka. Scholts picked 2 wickets for 18 runs while Shikongo picked 2 for 22 runs. Namibia’s fielding and bowling was to notch and Sri Lankan batsman just struggled till the end of the innings. Sri Lanka was all out for 108 runs in the 19th over much to the disappointment of the huge Sri Lankan crowd gathered at the stadium and Namibia recorded a sensational win by 55 runs.
The next match between UAE and Netherlands will be played at the same venue at 1.30 pm, today.(RZ)
