Former champions Sri Lanka thrashed Ireland by 70 runs in their ICC Men's T20 World Cu 2021, Group A match at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. And it means that the most consistent side in the history of T20 World Cup are through to Super 12. They have made it two wins out of two in Round 1, while Ireland, who started the campaign with a win against the Netherlands, will need to beat Namibia on 22 October to keep their hopes alive. After posting 171/7, they dismissed Ireland for 101 in 18.3 overs with Maheesh Theekshana claiming three wickets for 17. Chamika Karunaratne and Lahiru Kumara also claimed two apiece as Andrew Balbirnie alone played a knock of note for Ireland with 41off 39. Earlier, Sri Lanka, the most consistent side in the history of the ICC T20 World Cup, were looking down the barrel after Ireland put them in to bat first at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi. Now playing in the 'qualifier' to make the Super 12, which represents the tournament proper, Sri Lanka were 8/3 with Joshua Little making a big statement with the ball in their Group A match. Then the 2014 champions found their big boys in Wanindu Hasaranga (71 off 47) and Pathum Nissanka (61 off 47), who put up a century stand. Little took two more wickets, but the damage was already done by the Lankan duo. Ireland now need 172. Catch highlights and cricket scores of the SL vs IRE match here.
11:05 PM IST: Result
Chamika Karunaratne returns and removes Joshua Little, bowled for 1 off 3. And Sri Lanka win by 70 runs.
Brief scores
Sri Lanka: 171 for 7 in 20 overs (Wanindu Hasaranga 71, Pathum Nissanka 61, Josh Little 4/23, Mark Adair 2/35)
Ireland: 101 allout in 18.3 overs (Andrew Balbirnie 41; Maheesh Theekshana 3/17).
10:59 PM IST: 72 In 12
Dushmantha Chameera on with the 18th over. Craig Young (1 off 6), bowled. Joshua Little joins Simi Singh. Ireland need 72 in 12. IRE - 100/9 (18)
10:52 PM IST: Trouble For Ireland
Two in Lahiru Kumara's final over, those of Mark Adair (run out for 2 off 3) and Andrew Balbirnie (41 off 39). IRE - 96/8 (16)
10:39 PM IST: 83 In 36
Lahiru Kumara returns and gets the wicket of Harry Tector (3 off 6), caught by Kusal Perera. Neil Rock joins Andrew Balbirnie. Neil Rock is the new man. In the previous over, Maheesh Theekshana gets his second. Curtis Campher (24 off 28), bowled. Ireland need 83 runs in 36 balls. IRE - 89/5 (14)
10:19 PM IST: 107 In 60
Andrew Balbirnie (27 off 25) and Curtis Campher (18 off 21) keep Ireland hopes alive. 33 in 34 for the fourth wicket. Lahiru Kumara concedes nine in his second over. Ireland need 107 runs in 60 balls. IRE - 65/3 (10)
10:11 PM IST: Little Stand
Chamika Karunaratne on with his second over. Andrew Balbirnie (21 off 19) hits the third ball for a six, over deep mid-wicket. Fourth wicket stand is now worth 20 off 22. Curtis Campher unbeaten on 11 off 15. IRE - 52/3 (8)
9:56 PM IST: Ireland In A Hurry
Wanindu Hasaranga also strikes in his first over. Ireland are in a hurry. Gareth Delany (2 off 4), is bowled. IRE - 32/3 (4.2)
9:47 PM IST: Quick Wickets
Sri Lanka returning the favour in kind. Quick wickets. Maheesh Theekshana strikes in his first over to remove Paul Stirling (7 off 7), caught by Lahiru Kumara. In the first over, Chamika Karunaratne got the wicket of Kevin O Brien (5 off 3), caught by Theekshana. Gareth Delany joins Andrew Balbirnie in the centre. IRE - 20/2 (3)
9:23 PM IST: Innings Break
Strong finish from Dasun Shanaka. He hits Mark Adair for a four and six off the last two balls in the last over. 14 from it. 41 runs and four wickets in the last five. SL - 171/7 (20)
9:05 PM IST: Little Get Another
Third wicket for Joshua Little. Bhanuka Rajapaksa (1 off 3), caught by Harry Tector. Dasun Shanaka joins Pathum Nissanka in the middle. SL - 145/5 (17)
8:55 PM IST: Hasaranga Goes For 71
Wanindu Hasaranga's sensational knock comes to an end. He made 71 off 47 and was involved in a 123-run stand with Pathum Nissanka (50 off 37). Wicket for Mark Adair, caught by Craig Young. SL - 131/4 (15.2)
8:45 PM IST: 100-run Stand
Fifty for Wanindu Hasaranga (62 off 42) and his stand with Pathum Nissanka (44 off 34) now worth 108 in 74. 48 runs in the last five overs. SL - 116/3 (14)
8:22 PM IST: SL Fight Back
70 runs in 50 balls for the fourth wicket as Wanindu Hasaranga (40 off 28) and Pathum Nissanka (29 off 24) revive Sri Lanka innings. SL - 78/3 (10)
8:05 PM IST: Powerplay Over
Wanindu Hasaranga and Pathum Nissanka irebuilding Sri Lankan innings. They have added 39 runs in 26 for the fourth wicket. Hasaranga hit Simi Singh for four successive fours to end the powerplay. SL - 47/3 (6)
7:44 PM IST: Little Having Big Day
Joshua Little is having a dream first over. Two wickets, those of Dinesh Chandimal (6 off 6), bowled; and Avishka Fernando (0 off 1), also bowled. SL - 8/3 (1.4)
7:38 PM IST: Early Wicket
Paul Stirling strikes first over. Pathum Nissanka takes a single, then Kusal Perera holes out at cover for a first-ball duck. Gareth Delany takes an easy catch. Dinesh Chandimal is the new man. Four runs and a wicket.
7:13 PM IST: Toss
Ireland win the toss and will bowl first against Sri Lanka.
Squads:
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera(w), Dinesh Chandimal, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka(c), Chamika Karunaratne, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Lahiru Kumara, Dhananjaya de Silva, Akila Dananjaya, Binura Fernando, Charith Asalanka.
Ireland: Paul Stirling, Kevin O Brien, Andrew Balbirnie(c), Gareth Delany, Curtis Campher, Harry Tector, Neil Rock(w), Simi Singh, Mark Adair, Benjamin White, Joshua Little, George Dockrell, Craig Young, Andy McBrine, Lorcan Tucker.
