Sri Lanka defeated Ireland by 70 runs at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday to qualify for the Super 12 stage of the 2021 T20 World Cup. Batting first, Sri Lanka got off to a poor start, losing three early wickets. However, the islanders fought back through Pathum Nissanka and Wanindu Hasaranga, both of whom scored half-centuries to help Sri Lanka post of total of 171/7 from their 20 overs. In response, Ireland never got going and kept losing wickets at regular intervals before folding their innings at 101. The win took Sri Lanka to four points from two games and assured them of a spot in the Super 12 phase.
T20 WC 2021: SL vs IRE
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We are set for the chase te begin! The players of Sri Lanka stride out to the middle. Paul Stirling and Kevin O'Brien are the opening batters for Ireland. Chamika Karunaratne to start with the ball.
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... THE RUN CHASE ...
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Now though, they need to concentrate on their batting. The target is a big one, not going to be easy to chase this down and they will need the big guns to come to the fore. Sri Lanka will back themselves to get over the line. Join us for the chase shortly.
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Josh Little is down for a chat. He says that he is feeling pretty good and the score is about par. Adds that there is not much swing here but they adapted quite well by changing things up. Credits Wanindu Hasaranga for the way he batted.
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The Irish bowling was good at the start courtesy of Josh Little and good at the end but the middle period could cost them the game. The likes of Mark Adair, Simi Singh and Curtis Campher just were not upto the mark and they just let the game slip away. Ireland will be very disappointed they let Sri Lanka off the hook.
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It was Wanindu Hasaranga who emerged as the hero for Sri Lanka! He was promoted up the order and he played a knock to remember. He along with Pathum Nissanka got things back on track with a brilliant counter-attacking partnership. Within no time, Sri Lanka were back on top. They added over 120 with both scoring fifties. However, once they fell, Ireland did manage to pull things back a little but Sri Lanka will be pretty pleased.
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What a first innings did we just witness! Full of action! Have to say Sri Lanka will be the happier of the two, especially after they were 8 for 3.
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19.64Mark Adair to Dasun Shanaka
FOUR! That is played so well! A full one, on leg. Dasun Shanaka gets into position and scoops it over the short fine leg fielder for a boundary. Sri Lanka end at 171 for 7!
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19.56Mark Adair to Dasun Shanaka
SIX! That is huge! Mark Adair bowls a short and one slower one. Dasun Shanaka is waiting for it and then pulls it way, way over the mid-wicket fence.
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19.41Mark Adair to Dushmantha Chameera
A full toss, on the pads. Whipped to deep square leg for one.
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Dushmantha Chameera is the new man in.
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19.3WMark Adair to
OUT! BOWLED! A screeching yorker, on off. Chamika Karunaratne looks to heave it but misses. The ball hits the stumps. That is the 50th wicket for Mark Adair in T20Is!
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19.22Mark Adair to
On a length, outside off. Heaved wide of long on and the batters scamper back for the second.
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19.11Mark Adair to Dasun Shanaka
Full ball, on off. Hit down to long off for one.
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Mark Adair will bowl the last over of the innings.
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18.60Joshua Little to
Excellent delivery to end the spell! Yorker, on off. Hit back to Josh Little, who finishes with brilliant figures of 4-0-23-4.
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Chamika Karunaratne walks out now.
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18.5WJoshua Little to Pathum Nissanka
OUT! TAKEN! A really good knock by Pathum Nissanka ends as he chases a wide one! Full and way outside off. He chases it and gets the outside edge. Neil Rock takes the catch behind the stumps.
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18.41Joshua Little to Dasun Shanaka
Length ball, outside off. Dasun Shanaka hits it down to long off for one.
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18.31Joshua Little to Pathum Nissanka
Full ball, outside off. Pathum Nissanka misses the flick. The keeper fails to collect and they get a bye.