Sri Lanka kickstarted their Super 12 campaign in style. In its first match held against Ireland, Lanka won by nine wickets. This big victory boosted their net run rate quite well. It was the collective effort of the bowlers which helped Sri Lanka in winning this game comfortably.
Lankan bowlers troubled Ireland batters right from the beginning of the first innings. As a result, Ireland kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Barring Paul Stirling (34) and Harry Tector (45), no other batter performed well for Ireland. As a result, they were able to score a mere 128/8 in 20 overs. Maheesh Theekshana (2/19) and Wanindu Hasaranga (2/25) scalped two wickets each.
Lankans started off the chase in style. Openers Kusal Mendis (68) and Dhananjaya de Silva (31) made a partnership of 63 runs for the first wicket. After the latter got out, Charith Asalanka (31) gave good support to Mendis. Their unbeaten 70-run stand helped Sri Lanka in scoring 133 runs in 15 overs. In the process, Kusal Mendis also scored a half-century.
After the setback against Namibia in the first match, Sri Lanka came back stronger and won three games on a trot. It will play its next game against Australia on October 25. On the other side, Ireland will take on England on October 26.
