As the group stages of the 2021 T20 World Cup come to a close, former champions Sri Lanka sealed their spot in the Super 12 stages with a win over Ireland on Wednesday. The Lankan Lions posted a commanding 171/7, which ultimately proved too much for the Irish as they won by 70 runs.
Batting first, Sri Lanka got off to a terrible start after being reduced to 8/3, courtesy of some fine left-arm fast bowling by youngster Josh Little. Opener Nissanka and Wanindu Hasaranga rebuilt the Sri Lankan innings, with both of them playing valuable innings. The two kept the runs flowing throughout the middle overs and laid a platform to put up a big score.
After attempting an upper-cut over short third man, the duo put on 123 runs for the fourth wicket before Hasaranga was dismissed for an extremely well-made 71. Captain Dasun Shanaka then came into the middle and played a good little cameo to ensure that Sri Lanka finished with a flourish.
The Ireland innings never got going as early wickets sent both openers back into the pavilion, and apart from a brief 53-run partnership between Curtis Campher and captain Balbirnie, the Lankan bowlers were on top for the entire duration of the Irish innings.
The duo were the only two Irish batsmen to cross double figures, as young gun Maheesh Theekshana was impressive, picking up three wickets while conceding just 17 runs in his four overs. An inability to build partnerships coupled with a concerted bowling effort from Sri Lanka eventually meant that the Irish innings folded up at a disappointing 101. The 70-run win for Sri Lanka also confirmed their presence in the Super 12 stages of the tournament.
SL will take many positives from this encounter, as their bowling was firing on all cylinders. Batting could be an area of concern, with the top order falling cheaply. Nevertheless, the Lankans will be relieved after their qualification, and their sound performance heading into the Super 12 stages.
Ireland face Namibia in their final group stage encounter on Friday. A win will perhaps take them into the Super 12 stages of the T20 World Cup, which begins on 23 October.
