Sri Lanka suffered a 20-run defeat at the hands of Netherlands in their first T20 World Cup 2024 warm-up encounter. Dutch opener Michael Levitt's half-century and off-spinner Aryan Dutt’s three-fer helped their side overpower Sri Lanka despite skipper Wanindu Hasaranga’s 15-ball 43 cameo.
Hasaranga won the toss and opted to bowl first. Levitt scored 55 runs from 28 balls whereas skipper Scott Edwards contributed with a 12-ball 27 cameo. Young left-arm spinner was economical in his four-over spell conceded 26 runs and picking up one wicket. Netherlands posted a score of 181/5.
In the run chase, Sri Lanka kept on losing wickets. Kyle Klein bagged two wickets. Logan van Beek was economical in his two-over spell. Dhananjaya de Silva scored 31 runs from 22 balls. Hasaranga revived the run chase with a 15-ball 43. Former skipper Dasun Shanaka remained unbeaten for 35 off 20 balls as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 161 with just seven balls to spare.
Netherlands and Sri Lanka have played three T20Is against each other. Netherlands are yet to be beat Sri Lanka in T20Is. The last time they took on each other was in T20 World Cup 2022 clash. Sri Lanka won by 16 runs despite opener Max ODowd's 71-run knock in the run chase.
Netherlands' next warm-up clash is against Canada at Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas on May 30 whereas Sri Lanka will take on Ireland at Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground, Lauderhill, Florida on May 31.
Rematch on June 16
Sri Lanka are placed in Group D alongside the Netherlands, Nepal, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The two teams will face each other in group stage clash at Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia on June 16. It will be interesting to see if Netherlands beat the champions of the 2014 edition of the marquee event.
When Netherlands humbled the Proteas
In the last edition, Netherlands pulled off an upset when they beat South Africa. At Adelaide Oval, Netherlands beat South Africa by 13 runs to end the Temba Bavuma-led side's campaign
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