Opening batter Kusal Mendis slammed an unbeaten half-century, while Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana picked up important wickets as Sri Lanka cruised into the Super 12s of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 with a 16-run victory over the Netherlands on Thursday.
Batting first, Mendis smoked 79 not out off 44 and guided Sri Lanka to a competitive 162-6 on a sunny afternoon at Simonds Stadium in Geelong.
Later, mystery spinner Theekshana (2/32) and the talismanic Hasaranga (3/28) restricted the Netherlands to 146-9, despite an unbeaten 71 from opener Max O’Dowd. With the win, the Islanders have reached to the top of Group A ahead of the second-placed Netherlands while Namibia who stunned Shanaka & Co. in their first game of the tournament are at No. 3 in the points table.
Namibia are currently locking horns with the winless UAE and needs to beat them to climb ahead of Sri Lanka and the Netherlands in the standings.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Congratulations to Sri Lanka for qualifying to the super 12 under pressure. Let’s make sure we never have to go through this again boys !
— Sanath Jayasuriya (@Sanath07) October 20, 2022
Great clutch performance by @OfficialSLC and special mention to @KusalMendis13 and @Wanindu49 as @afidelf mentioned created in a lab maybe. Onwards and upwards
— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) October 20, 2022
Sri Lankans are great fighters, I would be very disappointed if they would not qualify for the Super12. Congrats 👏👏👏#T20WorldCup
— Aalia Rasheed (@aaliaaaliya) October 20, 2022
Important and smart innings from @KusalMendis13 in a crucial match. Used the short boundaries really well.👏🇱🇰
— Lasith Malinga (@malinga_ninety9) October 20, 2022
as an opener the role stays the same chasing or setting is to firstly get the team off to quick start and earn the big hitting at the back end. Pity but good effort O’dowd 👏 #sscricket #T20WorldCup2022
— Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru) October 20, 2022
Congratulations @OfficialSLC on qualifying for the Super 12's! That was one brave effort from Max O'Dowd 👏 #SLvsNED #T20WorldCup
— Robin Aiyuda Uthappa (@robbieuthappa) October 20, 2022
Sri Lanka through to the next round. Good fight from the Netherlands. Round 1 of this year’s WC has been very competitive. So far loved it
— Rehan Ulhaq (@Rehan_ulhaq) October 20, 2022
🟠Netherlands came close 146/9 but Sri Lanka was just too good.
Great innings by Max O'Dowd 71 not out!
Edwards 21 off 15
Cooper 16 off 19
Hoping that UAE are at their best.@t20worldcup#wewinnenveelmetsport #teamnl #joinourjourney #samensterker #fairtree #t20worldcup #icc pic.twitter.com/LZ6lj8Hou7— Cricket🏏Netherlands (@KNCBcricket) October 20, 2022
Sri Lanka are through to the #T20WorldCup Super-12 stage! 👊#RoaringForGlory #SLvNED pic.twitter.com/Q9EmnrKXpz
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) October 20, 2022
https://twitter.com/T20WorldCup/status/1583005600560152577
Sri Lanka have qualified for Super 12s.
One match to go in this group which is Namibia vs UAE. If Namibia win this match, they qualify for Super 12s. If Namibia lose, they will be out and Netherlands will qualify. #T20WorldCup
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) October 20, 2022
