Sri Lanka stunned by Namibia in T20 WC opener

Sports Oct, 17 2022
Sri Lanka stunned by Namibia in T20 WC opener
  • 200
  • 0

GEELONG: Sri Lanka's T20 World Cup campaign suffered a disastrous start on Sunday as the former champions crashed to a 55-run loss against plucky Namibia in Geelong. Arriving as surprise Asia Cup champions, Sri Lanka had hoped to make an early statement against the African associate side in front of thousands of expectant supporters on a sun-bathed afternoon at Kardinia Park.

Instead, it was Namibia soaking up their finest international win a year after storming into the Super 12s at the last World Cup in the United Arab Emirates. Bowled out for 108 after chasing 164 for victory, the 2014 champions Sri Lanka can afford no slip-ups in their following qualifying matches against United Arab Emirates on Tuesday and the Netherlands on Thursday.

All-rounder Jan Frylinck was man-of-the-match, top-scoring with 44 from 28 balls as Namibia put on a respectable total on a drop-in wicket. He then picked up the wickets of Dhananjaya de Silva (12) and captain Dasun Shanaka (29) with his left-arm pace. "I'm a little bit speechless at the moment, what we've just achieved is above what we thought we could do," said Frylinck.

"Now I'm just very excited at this point in time. "Myself and JJ (Smit) got us to a competitive total and the bowlers just stepped up and it was unbelievable." Sri Lanka crashed to 21 for three and their chase was all but over when Shanaka fell for 29, his team still 76 runs short with three wickets in hand.

"I think the surface played really well but the execution was not there when it comes to their bowling," said Shanaka. "Once we lost three wickets in the powerplay, we were out of the game ... We've got a good team but it's all about the process. "When we're chasing 160 we need (the top order) to kick in. And the bowlers need to hit the right areas." Sri Lanka will have to pick themselves up without the services of left-arm fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka, who was ruled out of the tournament with a quadriceps muscle tear in a huge blow.

With a heavy South African flavour in their coaching, Namibia has been the big improvers among the second-tier sides and will back themselves to make another trip to the Super 12s. "Incredible journey. Last year was a special experience for us and we've topped that with a great win," captain Gerhard Erasmus said.

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 17 2022

Like Business on Facebook, follow @DailyNCourier on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.

NC Big Stories

Army Chief reiterates resolve to thwart nefarious designs of inimical elements

PESHAWAR: Amid rising terror incidents in Pakistan, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir yesterday reiterated the army’s firm resolve to eradicate the illegal spectrum undermining national security, a statement from the military’...

PM Shehbaz forms panel to end PPP-PML-N rift

ISLAMABAD: Following PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s complaints against the incumbent government, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has constituted a committee to resolve the issues between Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Pe...

Federal Ombudsman chairs 'open court' in District Central

KARACHI: An open court was held at the Deputy Commissioner's Office, Central Karachi, under the chairmanship of Federal Ombudsman Syed Anwar Haider. Deputy Commissioner Central Taha Saleem, Additional Deputy Commissioners Asim Siddiqui and Dr. Saira...

Hina Bayat discusses rising divorce rates

Hina Bayat Khawaja is one of Pakistan’s most beloved and versatile actresses, known for her insightful opinions and candid approach to life. Having enjoyed a successful career, she is highly regarded, and her views carry significant weight. Hin...

More like this
Related

Messi likely to play int’l match in India next year

KERALA: Argentina’s national team, including legendary footballer Lionel Messi, is expected to play an international match in India’s Kerala State next year, Sports Minister V Abdurahiman said yesterday. According to Indian media, the mi...

Haris Rauf makes mark, Shaheen moves down in ICC T20I Rankings

DUBAI: Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf made a significant leap, while his fellow pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi experienced a downfall in the latest ICC T20I Bowling Rankings released yesterday. The Green Shirts suffered a humiliating whitewash in the thr...

‘Rawalpindi Express’ hopes India will visit Pakistan for Champions Trophy 2025

RAWALPINDI: In a recent interview with a local TV channel, former fast bowler and renowned cricketer Shoaib Akhtar, also known as the “Rawalpindi Express,” expressed his belief that back-channel negotiations between Pakistan and India wil...

KSA unveils 92,000-seater King Salman Stadium

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia recently unveiled its design plans for the King Salman Stadium, a giant, 92,000-capacity facility, which will be constructed in Riyadh as the showpiece of the 2034 Fifa Men’s World Cup. The Saudi Ministry of Sports unveile...
Need Help? Chat with us