Sri Lanka Shines In ODI WC Qualifiers , securing an unblemished record with a commanding victory driven by their exceptional bowling performance in the final. Discover the remarkable journey of Sri Lanka’s team in the qualifiers.
The Netherlands were bowled out for 105, after 49 for 6 in an innings, despite chasing a decent target.
It was a match that didn’t matter, and yet Sri Lanka drove their points away from home. Stung, maybe, by requiring to qualify for the 2023 ODI World Cup, they kept their foot on the throttle in spite of having qualified, dismantling Netherlands by a 128-run edge within the qualifier final.
Despite a late batting collapse where they lost their last seven wickets for 53 runs, Sri Lanka were always on top as their bowlers blew the Netherlands away before they started the chase.
Dilshan Madushanka had done most of the damage earlier as he took three wickets in the ninth over, and Wanindu Hasranga was also at work with two against his title in the 12th over. Mahesh Thekshana then took over, picking up four wickets as they bowled out the Netherlands for 105 runs.That implied Sri Lanka had won the qualifying event without losing a single coordinate. Both finalists, of course, had already qualified for the ODI World Glass, to be held in India afterward this year.
Fresh from the high of a scintillating chase against Scotland, Netherlands selected to field first again. Vikramjit Singh struck either side of the primary powerplay to remove both openers after a steady begin, but Kusal Mendis and
Sahan Arachchige solidified over the next 13 overs. The scoring rate went up and so did Sri Lanka’s dominance in the field with little on offer from the pitch for the bowlers. The hitters used sweep liberally against the spin bowlers, especially leggie Saqib Zulfiqar, but when Mendis missed one straight away, the Netherlands had their breakthrough.
Arakchige brought up a half-century, while Charith Asalanka 36 from one ball set Sri Lanka up for the finish, but a surprise collapse helped the Netherlands claw their way back into the contest.
A sharp catch by Logan van Beek at point brought a conclusion to Arachchige’s innings before Asalanka was run-out two conveyances later. The Netherlands broke through Dasun Shanaka and Dhananjaya de Silva to get into Sri Lanka’s tail, and a cameo from Hasranga helped them cross the 200 mark. But another flurry of quick wickets in passing ended that stand, and the Netherlands were 234 in the chase.
The first few overs were as good as they got in the chase, as they scored 25 runs in 4.3 overs. But when Vikramjit carved a straight at cover-point, the floodgates opened. Madushanka cleaned up Wesley Baresi, before Hasranga trapped Teja Nidamanur. The Netherlands were rocked as captain Scott Edwards fell to a careless run-out and they suddenly slumped to 49 for 6.
Gamely hung around to ensure Max O’Dowd moved towards three figures in the aggregate, but Sri Lanka had been dispatched with limitations so far. Outside edge to Thexon O’Dowd and comes back to beat Thump
Returned his off-stump after a messy 36-run association with Van Beek. It was the first of four as Thekshana took part in the mop-up, catching each of the last three in front as the World Cup-bound Netherlands were bowled out for 105.
These two sides will meet again in a more critical contest in India, when Edwards will trust his side can allow a fairer account of themselves.
