ISLAMABAD: A half-century of 54 by opener Pathum Nissanka and a brilliant unbeaten 91 by the middle order Sadeera Samarawickrama took Sri Lanka to a 6-wicket win against the Netherlands in the ICC contest being played at Lucknow on Saturday.
Chasing a target of 263 to win, Sri Lanka took a steady start but lost the first wicket on 18 in the 5th over when Quinton de Kock was dismissed on 5 runs. In the 10th over, the Dutch bowlers managed to inform Kusal Mendis on 11 runs and took them under pressure. However, when the number four batter, Sadeera Samarawickrama, joined the opener, Pathum Nissanka, they both took the side to a stable position.
Nissanka also completed his half-century and contributed 52 runs partnership with Nissanka. He was dismissed on 54 in the 17th over when the total reached 104. He was replaced by Asalanka, who and Nissanka not only saved the wicket but also drove the side near the target. They contributed a crucial 77-run partnership for the side. In the 33rd over, Assalanka was got out on 44. On the other hand, Nissanka stayed on the crease to become part of the successful chase. He completed his half-century.
Assalanka was replaced by De Silva, who along with Sadeera, drew the side to the target. In the 47th over, the Dutch got the wicket of De Silva who scored 30 runs; however, till then it was too late for the Dutch as Sri Lanka required just 6 runs to win in 19 balls. In the 49th over, Sri Lanka managed to register a 5-wicket win against the Dutch. Sadeera scored 91 runs and was unbeaten.
From the Netherlands, Aryan Dutt was the most successful bowler, taking 3 wickets, while Meekeren and Ackerman got one wicket each.
Netherlands Batting
After winning the toss, the Dutch decided to bat first. The batting side lost their first wicket in the 4th over when Rajitha dismissed Vikramjit Singh on just 4 runs. The other opener, Max O’Dowd, and number three batter, Colin Ackermann, showed some resistance; however, in the 10th over, Rajitha removed O’Dowd on 16 when the total reached 48. After the two quick dismissals, the Netherlands batting order collapsed, where the side lost 6 wickets on 91 in the 22nd over.
At the stage it was predicted that the Dutch innings woold be wind up before reaching 160 runs. However, like the previous match against South Africa, the lower order of the Dutch bounced back and took their side to a decent and fighting total. The number 8 batter Sybrand Engelbrecht and number nine Logan van Beek stayed on the crease while adding crucial runs for the side. Both completed half-centuries as well.
Engelbrecht smashed a fine 70 runs innings, including 1 six and four boundaries while van Beek scored 59 runs for the side. They contributed 130 runs partnership for the side and took the scoreboard beyond 200. The tail also added few runs to the total as the side score 262 all out in 49.4 overs.
From Sri Lanka, Rajitha and Madhushanka were the leading wicket-takers with 4 wickets each, while Theekshana got one wicket.
Sri Kanka Team: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (c)†, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dushan Hemantha, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha and Dilshan Madushanka
Netherlands Team: Vikramjit Singh, Max O’Dowd, Colin Ackermann, Bas de Leede, Teja Nidamanuru, Scott Edwards (c)†, Sybrand Engelbrecht, Logan van Beek, Roelof van der Merwe, Aryan Dutt, Paul van Meekeren
