Kusal Mendis carried his bat and Sri Lanka’s bowlers all impressed in an emphatic nine-wicket victory over Ireland in the T20 World Cup on Sunday.
Opening batsman Mendis made an unbeaten 68 at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart as Sri Lanka easily chased down a target of 129 despite the absence of the injured Pathum Nissanka.
Dhananjaya de Silva (31 off 25) and Charith Asalanka (31* off 22) also did their bit to open Sri Lanka’s Group 1 campaign with a resounding win.
It had been Sri Lanka’s bowlers who laid the foundations for Mendis. Maheesh Theekshana (2-19) and Wanindu Hasaranga (2-25) claimed a pair apiece, while each of their bowling unit took a wicket to limit Ireland to 128-8.
Paul Stirling opened with 34 off 25 and Harry Tector (45) ensured Ireland at least had something to defend, but the contest was decidedly one-sided.
Kusal Mendis’ incredible innings of 68* earns him the @aramco POTM 🙌#T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/banfHx9G1A
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) October 23, 2022
COOL KUSAL LEADS THE WAY
Sri Lanka’s route to this stage started with an embarrassing loss to Namibia but wins over the United Arab Emirates and Netherlands booked a spot in the Super 12.
Kusal ensured there would be no hiccup to begin this stage, whacking three sixes and five fours in his 43-ball knock, which he finished with a maximum off Simi Singh over deep-square leg, as Sri Lanka wrapped up the win with 30 balls remaining and nine wickets in hand.
BOWLING UNIT IN SYNC
One of the most pleasing aspects for Sri Lanka was the shared responsibility with the ball. Lahiru Kumara had already snared Ireland captain Andrew Balbirnie in the second over by the time Theekshana encouraged Lorcan Tucker to glove onto the stumps.
Theekshana also took the bails off George Dockrell’s wicket and Binura Fernando took out dangerman Tector prior to Hasaranga taking a couple of late wickets.
Source: Livescore