Match 8, Abu Dhabi, October 20, 2021, 07:30 PM
Sri Lanka
171/7(20.0ov)
Ireland
101/10(18.3ov)
Sri Lanka beat Ireland by 70 runs
That is all we have from this game! The action continues on 21st October and we have two more games coming up. Papua New Guinea will take on Bangladesh in the first clash of the day at 2 pm Local (10 am GMT). Later, Oman will face off against Scotland at 6 pm Local (2 pm GMT). Do join us for the same. Till then, take care and goodbye!
Dasun Shanaka, the skipper of Sri Lanka, says that they were concerned after losing early wickets but the partnership between Wanindu Hasaranga and Pathum Nissanka was awesome. Adds that it is a great luxury to have such quality pace bowlers, especially in T20s and he is happy seeing them bowl with such pace. Signs off by saying that they would look to bat well in the next game as the top order is still a concern for them.
Andy Balbirnie, the Irish skipper is down for a chat, he says that Sri Lanka played really well and came back really strongly. Adds that Josh Little was brilliant with the new ball and they were excited when they had Sri Lanka at 8 for 3. Says that the game against Namibia is a knockout game and they are looking forward to it. Hopes that a lot of people will watch that match.
Wanindu Hasaranga, Player of the Match, says when he went out to bat they were 3 down for just 8 runs and he was under pressure. Adds that he wanted to rotate the strike for the first few balls and looked to capitalize after getting a start. Tells that he considers himself a batting all-rounder and he could be seen batting at number 5 quite consistently. In the end, he thanks the Sri Lankan supporters in Sinhalese.
Earlier in the day, after electing to field, Ireland had Sri Lanka on the mat at 8 for 3. They let the advantage slip as some poor bowling and poor decisions saw Sri Lanka get to 171 courtesy of some fine batting from Wanindu Hasaranga and Pathum Nissanka. That proved to be a lot for the Irish as they were bundled out for one more than a ton.
It was the combined effort from the Lankan bowlers. The pacers bowled with fire and got early wickets. The spinners squeezed the runs and were also amongst the wickets. Maheesh Theekshana was the pick of the bowlers with his 3 wickets. Lahiru Kumara and Chamika Karunaratne were very impressive and took 2 each. The rest of the bowlers took 1 each and it was a team performance by them.
A target of 172 was always going to be a tough task and it got even tougher after Ireland lost three wickets in the Powerplay. Andy Balbirnie and Curtis Campher then put up a 50-run stand but it was at a slow pace. The required run rate kept going up and when the time came to accelerate, Campher fell. Once he fell, it was a procession. Just the two batters crossed the 10-run mark and with that scorecard, it is not possible to chase a big total.
Quite a clinical performance from the Lankans and they have confirmed their spot in the Super 12s in emphatic fashion. A win by 70 runs is a big win in T20Is and they have completely dominated the game!
In over# 19
0W
1
0
Chamika Karunaratne 27/2(3.3)
18.3
W
OUT! BOWLED! There it is! Chamika Karunaratne gets the last wicket and Ireland are bundled out for 101! A full toss, around middle and leg. Josh Little moves across to scoop it over short fine leg but he misses it completely and the ball crashes onto his stumps. Sri Lanka WIN THE MATCH BY 70 RUNS!
18.2
1
Another slower ball, outside off. Simi Singh advances down the track and punches it to deep cover for one.
18.1
.
Slower ball, on a length, down leg. Simi Singh misses his flick and the ball clips his pads before going to the keeper on the bounce.
In over# 18
0
1
0
0
1
0W
Dushmantha Chameera 16/1(3)
17.6
.
Swing and a miss! Full ball, outside off. Josh Little looks to hoick it over long on but he fails to get any bat on it.
17.5
1
Length ball, around middle and leg. Simi Singh turns it to the leg side for a single. Ireland bring up their 100!
17.4
.
Nearly chopped on! Good-length ball, outside off. Simi Singh looks to slog hard but he gets an inside edge onto his pads.
17.3
.
Length ball, on off. Simi Singh looks to heave it away but it goes off the inner half to mid-wicket.
17.2
1
Full ball, around middle. Josh Little drills it to long on to get off the mark with one.
Josh Little is the last Irish batter.
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