Like Bangladesh, who played Australia earlier on Thursday, Sri Lanka will love to exit the T20 World Cup 2021 on a high. With two points from four matches, this new-look Sri Lankan team has the potential to finish on the winning side in Abu Dhabi tonight against a West Indian team that has been far below par in this World Cup. Mathematically speaking, West Indies have a chance to make the semifinals from Group 1 but for that to happen, they have to garner two full points versus Lanka and also win big to emerge out of their -1.598 net run rate. West Indies have a win from three matches and play Australian next to finish their group matches. Sri Lanka are quite capable of stopping the West Indies. They have the bowling variety -- leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva is the highest wicket-taker of the T20 World Cup 2021 with 14 wickets -- to challenge the West Indian power hitters in a venue where the boundaries are longer than Dubai or Sharjah. It's time for Chris Gayle to rise. The Jamaican, who deserted Punjab Kings to be ready for the T20 World Cup, has not crossed 20 in his last six T20 innings. Sri Lanka and West Indies have met each other seven times in T20 World Cups. Sri Lanka have won five of those fixtures. Follow here live cricket scores of SL vs WI.
23:36 PM IST: Sri Lanka win, West Indies knocked out
That's it. Sri Lanka win the match by 20 runs despite a brilliant 81 not out off 54 balls Shimton Hetmyer. Chasing Sri Lanka's 189/3, defending champions West Indies finish at 169/8 and are out of contention for the semifinals. Baring Nicolas Pooran (46) and Hetmyer, none of the Windies batsmen could register double figures.
23:00: PM IST: 50 for Hetmyer
Fifty up for Shimron Hetmyer. But more than his fifty, he needed support at the other end. West Indies 137/8 (17.4), need 53 runs from 14 balls.
22:50 PM IST: Can Windies make it?
The match is slowly slipping away from Windies' hands. At one end when Shimron Hetmyer is trying hard, hitting the opposition to cleaners, Sri Lankan bowlers have dismissed Kieron Pollard and Andre Russell in quick succession. West Indies 107/6 (14.1)
22:36 PM IST: Windies lose Pooran
Just what Sri Lanka needed. With the pressure building, Nicolas Pooran went for the big hit, only to be caught by sud Dananjaya de Silva for 46. West Indies 89/4 (12). Shimron Hetmyer (20*) and Andre Russell (1*).
22:28 PM IST: Pooran leads Windies charge
Nicolas Pooran is leading the West Indies charge in chase of 190. The left-hander is batting on 46 as West Indies reach 77/3 in 11 overs. Shimron Hetmyer is giving him company.
22:04 PM IST: Powerplay done
West Indies finish the powerplay at 52/3 with Nicholas Pooran (32*) and Shimron Hetmyer (1*) battling out in the middle. Roston Chase was brilliantly caught by Chamika Karunaratne for 8.
21:41 PM IST: Double strike
Double strike from Binura Fernando. Th Sri Lankan first had veteran Chris Gayle for just 1 before cleaning up Evin Lewis for 8. Couldn't have asked for a better start. West Indies 10/2 (2). Nicolas Pooran and Roston Chase are at the crease.
21:22 PM IST: Innings break
Pathum Nissanka's 51 and Charith Asalanka's 68 powered Sri Lanka to post 189/3 in 20 overs. The Sri Lankans have been improving with each match and today's match showed that completely. Can West Indies win this?
21:06 PM IST: Asalanka fifty
After Nissanka scored his fifty, young Charith Asalanka also reached fifty with a single off Dwayne Bravo, his second in T02 Internationals. Meanwhile, Nissanka was dismissed by Bravo for 51. Sri Lanka 153/2 (17)
20:49 PM IST: Nissanka scores 50
Fifty for Pathum Nissanka with a double off Ravi Rampal. The left-hander brings up his third fifty-plus score in this format of the game. Charith Asalanka is also not too far behind with an unbeaten 47. Sri Lanka 132/1 (15)
20:34 PM IST: SL cross 100-run mark
100 up for Sri Lanka in 12 overs. Pathum Nissanka (34*) and Charith Asalanka (35*) still going in the middle. Sri Lanka 101/2 (12)
20:21 PM IST: Halfway stage
Charith Asalanka (24*) and Pathum Nissanka (26*) have ensured there are no further hiccups as Sri Lanka race away to 82/1 after 10 overs. The duo has been solid in the middle and played some delightful shots so far.
20:03 PM IST: Russell gives a breakthrough
Andre Russell with the breakthrough. The medium-pacer bowls a slower delivery, Kusal Perera misjudges it completely giving a simple return cat in the end. He goes for 29. Sri Lanka 48/1 (6)
19:47 PM IST: Sound start by SL openers
Pretty sound start by the Sri Lankan openers Kusal Perera () and Pathum Nissanka against the West Indies attack. Sri Lanka 21/0 (3)
19:12 PM IST: Playing XIs
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera(w), Charith Asalanka, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka(c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Binura Fernando
West Indies: Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Roston Chase, Nicholas Pooran(w), Kieron Pollard(c), Shimron Hetmyer, Andre Russell, Dwayne Bravo, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Ravi Rampaul
19:04 PM IST: Toss
West Indies have won the toss and sent Sri Lanka to bat first.
18:53 PM IST: Hello
Hello and welcome to yet another live coverage in the ongoing T20 World Cup by Outlook India, this time its West Indies playing against Sri Lanka.
Squads
Sri Lanka: Dasun Shanaka (c), Kusal Janith Perera, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya De Silva, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Chamika Karunaratne, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Kumara, Maheesh Theekshana, Akila Dananjaya, Binura Fernando.
West Indies: Kieron Pollard (c), Nicholas Pooran, Fabian Allen, Dwayne Bravo, Roston Chase, Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer, Evin Lewis, Jason Holder, Lendl Simmons, Ravi Rampaul, Andre Russell, Oshane Thomas, Hayden Walsh Jr.
