After a shock-loss to the Netherlands in their first warm-up match of the T20 World Cup, the Sri Lankan team looked better prepared for the second one against Ireland on Friday. Playing in Florida, Wanindu Hasaranga’s men beat the Men in Green by an astounding 41 runs, to go into the main tournament with some confidence.
SL vs IRE, As it Happened
After batting first in SL vs IRE, the former posted 163/8 on the board despite losing wickets at regular intervals. At one stage, Ireland bowlers reduced them to 97/6, but Angelo Mathews and Dasun Shanaka played crucial knocks of 32 and 23, respectively. Hasaranga himself chipped in with 26 as the top-order failed to fire. Only Pathum Nissanka got a decent start with 22.
One of the major contributors in the Lankan score was also the extras — 17 of them. Craig Young ended up bowling a disastrous five-wides delivery, while Mark Adair had three to his name. Otherwise, it was a solid bowling performance for the duo, with Adair returning with figures of 1/28. Young also bagged 1/19. Barry McCarthy was a bit expensive and ended with 2/32 in 2.4 overs, largely due to the two no balls he bowled — as free hits were also offered there.
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Come the chase, Ireland was poor on the day. Despite a decent opening stand between Andrew Balbirinie and Paul Stirling (39), they lost wickets in a heap. There was no substantial score from the lower-order, while Curtis Campher’s 26 remained highest for them on the day.
Matheesha Pathirana, Dasun Shanaka Deflate Ireland Batting
Sri Lanka bowlers were exceptional on the day. IPL 2024 hero for CSK, Matheesha Pathirana bagged 1/13 in his three overs. Maheesh Theekshana got 2/14, but the star of the day was Dasun Shanaka, who broke the back of Ireland’s batting with a solid 4/23 to bundle out the opposition for 122. Now, after this match, Sri Lanka open their T20 World Cup campaign against South Africa on June 3.
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