Sri Lanka has started the T20 World Cup with an easy win as they defeated Namibia by 7 wickets in their first match of Group A.
Playing first, Namibia’s team got out after scoring 96 runs in 19.3 overs. Off-spinner Mahesh Thikshana took 3 wickets for 25 runs.
In reply, Sri Lanka achieved the target for 3 wickets in 13.3 overs. Bhanuka Rajapaksa top scored with 42 runs.
The top-2 of the group will get a place in the Super-12.
However, Sri Lanka’s team, chasing the target, could not start well. Opener batsman Pathum Nishanka was dismissed for 5 and Kusal Perera scored 11 runs.
Dinesh Chandimal also returned to the pavilion after scoring 5 runs. The team had lost 3 wickets for 26 runs.
In such a situation, it seemed that Namibia would return to the match. But Avishka Fernando scored an unbeaten 30 and Bhanuka Rajapaksa made an unbeaten 42 to ensure the victory of the team.
Both added 74 not out for the fourth wicket. There were still 39 balls left in the innings.
-Agencies
