In the ODI World Cup Qualifiers Super Six match on June 30 (Friday), Sri Lanka overcame a spirited Netherlands side by 21 runs at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. As a result, the Lankan Lions bagged two crucial points and took a big step towards sealing a place in the 2023 ODI World Cup. Sri Lanka rode on Dhananjaya de Silva's career-best effort with the bat and Maheesh Theekshana's all-around display to win an important game.
After Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka won the toss and elected to bat first, his decision backfired as the Islanders were reduced to 67/5 and later 96/6. Dhananjaya, who scored 93 runs off 111 balls, first stitched a mini partnership with Wanindu Hasaranaga (20 runs off 21 balls) and later forged a match-turning alliance of 77 runs with Theekshana (28 runs off 47 balls) for the eighth wicket. The partnership propelled Sri Lanka's total to over 200 runs before the team was bundled out for a below-par score of 213 runs in 47.4 overs.
For the Netherlands, Logan van Beek wreaked havoc with the new ball and finished with figures of 3/26 in nine overs, including two maiden overs. Bas de Leede also chipped in with three wickets in his spell of 9.4 overs. Saqib Zulfiqar bagged two wickets while Ryan Klein and Aryan Dutt chipped with one wicket each.
Netherlands got off to a disastrous start in their run chase as both openers - Vikramjit Singh and Max ODowd - walked back to the pavilion without troubling the scorers. Wesley Barresi (52 runs off 50 balls) and de Leede (41 runs off 53 balls) put the Men on Orange in the driver's seat with a 77-run partnership. At 88/2, Netherlands looked set to reign on Sri Lanka's parade but the latter was prepared to throw in the towel. Barresi's run out opened the doors for the Lankan Lions and Netherlands never recovered after that.
Captain Scott Edwards (67 not out off 68 balls) played a terrific knock under pressure but no other batter gave his skipper the required company on the pitch. As a result, Netherlands were bundled out for 192 runs in 40 overs.
For Sri Lanka, Theekshana starred with the ball and ended with figures of 3/31 in nine overs. Hasaranga bagged two wickets while Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka and Shanaka chipped in with a wicket each.
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