Sri Lanka registered a comprehensive 20-run victory over West Indies in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.
Asked to bat first, Sri Lanka piled up a massive 189/3 in their allotted 20 overs on the back of Charith Asalanka’s 41-ball 68. Pathum Nissanka also made a significant contribution of 41-ball 51.
Andre Russell was the stand-out bowler for West Indies, claiming two wickets by conceding 33 runs in his four overs.
Defending the total, Sri Lanka restricted the defending champions to 169/8. Only two Caribbean batters managed to touch the double-digit mark. While Shimron Hetmyer top scored with 81 not out off 54 balls, Nicholas Pooran made 46 off 34 balls.
Wanindu Hasaranga (2-19), Binura Fernando (2-24), and Chamika Karunaratne (2-43) returned with two wickets each for Sri Lanka while Dasun Shanaka (1-18) and Dushmantha Chameera (1-41) chipped in with wicket apiece.
With this loss, Kieron Pollard and company got ruled out of the T20 World Cup 2021. It was their third loss in four games in the ongoing showpiece tournament.
Cricket experts on Twitter lauded Sri Lanka for their all-round brilliance against the defending champions.
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