Sports
Sri Lanka thrash Dutch to win World Cup Qualifiers final
Sri Lanka cruised to a comprehensive 128-run win in the World Cup Qualifiers final in Harare yesterday to finish the ten-nation competition unbeaten. The 1996 World Champions had qualified for this year’s World Cup with a game to spare and their bowlers put up a sensational performance to bowl out the Dutch for 105 runs inside 24 overs.
It was their tenth ODI win in a row equalling the ten-match sequence of the Sri Lankan side in 2003-2004. Marvan Atapattu’s side though had beaten tougher opponents like India, Pakistan and Australia during their unbeaten run.
Although the bowlers were unplayable, Sri Lanka’s batting was a letdown again. There was always suspicion of a collapse once opening batsman Dimuth Karunaratne was forced to withdraw with a hamstring strain.
Unlike on previous occasions though, this time, the top order had got a decent start but the middle order was a disappointment.
Sri Lanka were doing well at 180 for three leading into the last 15 overs and a total of 300 looked on the cards. But there was a sensational collapse as they lost four wickets for just seven runs in the space of 16 deliveries. It was a horror scene as there was a casual approach by the batters and captain Dasun Shanaka will be under severe pressure to retain his place for the Asia Cup. He has managed a grand total of 12 runs in eight games.
Sri Lanka needed wickets early on a flat deck and Dilshan Madushanka didn’t disappoint picking up two wickets in successive overs. The spinners took on from there. Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga rarely sent down a loose ball and the Dutch perished trying to take on the two spinners. While Theekshana finished with four wickets Hasaranga claimed two scalps. Madushanka had three wickets. The fielding was top-notch as well and the run out of Scott Edwards was the highlight.
The Sri Lankan bowling was so good that they didn’t even require a fifth bowler to come onto the attack.