Sri Lanka bounced back from their opening matchday loss to Namibia with a comprehensive 79 run-victory over the United Arab Emirates (UAE), keeping their hopes of making it to the Super 12 very much alive. Led by Pathum Nissanka with the bat and then a complete bowling performance for the Lankans, it was not only a crucial and important win, but also impressive as they hope to work their way up in Group A.
Opener Nissanka improved from his nine runs in the first match against Namibia and was the main aggressor despite yet another middle-order collapse for his side. Only the first three batters for Sri Lanka managed to reach double digits, but this did not stop the Lankan batters from reaching a competitive score of 152/8. Then the bowlers did their job to perfection, dismissing the UAE batters for just 73 runs in 17.1 overs.
Bowling accolades
Dushmanta Chameera and Wanindu Hasaranga bagged three wickets each as the UAE batters were bowled out for their lowest total in their two editions in the marquee event. It also effectively ended their chances of qualifying for the Super 12, suffering the ignominy of becoming the first team to get eliminated from the 2022 T20 World Cup, currently taking place in Australia.
Defending 153 runs to remain in the competition, Chameera struck twice in the third over, first sending the dangerous Muhammad Waseem back to the pavilion for two runs, before getting Aryan Lakra for just one in the last ball the same over. After that, it was easy pickings for the Lankan bowlers, getting wickets at regular intervals to prevent the UAE batters from settling into their innings.
UAE fightback in vain
Sans Chamika Karunaratne, all the bowlers picked up at least one wicket, while Hasaranga was the most economical of the bowlers as well, conceding just 8 runs, hence bagging an economy rate of 2. And while Chameera was the plague of the UAE top order, Hasaranga spun circles around the middle and lower-order batters. His 3/8 dismantled the UAE batters.
Aayan Khan and Junaid Siddique tried to keep the match alive for UAE in the final stages of the match, with the latter even smashing a massive 109-metre maximum at the Geelong. After Chirag Suri (14 off 19), Aayan's 19 off 21 and Junaid's 18 off 16 were the other two double-digit scores for the Middle eastern minnows.
Sri Lankan batters wake but then sleep again
Asked to bat, Sri Lanka were cruising at 92 for 2 before leg-spinner Karthik Meiyappan claimed a hat-trick in the 15th over to dismiss Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Charith Asalanka and skipper Dasun Shanaka. this reduced the Islanders to 117 for 5, with Nissanka watching on from the non-striker's end. But the hat trick did not deter the young opener, who kept the match going for the Lankans despite the wickets falling around him.
Nissanka completed his half-century in 14.1 overs and kept the scoreboard ticking till the very last ball, despite the UAE bowlers trying their best to get his wicket. When they eventually did succeed it was too late, as Nissanka was on 74 runs already, taking his team to an above-par score. But Meiyappan's hat trick will provide a much-needed boost for UAE, who will get eliminated from the marquee tournament in the first round for the second time in the two T20 World Cups that they have played.
