Undefeated Sri Lanka were tested by the Netherlands bowling unit in the Cricket World Cup Qualifier final and have been bowled out for 233.

Sri Lanka had a solid platform in challenging conditions, courtesy of a decent opening stand between Pathum Nissanka and Sadeera Samarawickrama, who was promoted up the order. 

The pair looked comfortable before Vikramjit Singh was brought into the attack. After inciting a drive from Samarawickrama, Croes took a brilliant catch at short extra cover, with the batter walking back for 19. 

The medium pace of Singh again did the trick as Nissanka flicked one straight to fine leg, with Aryan Dutt taking a sensational catch. Nissanka’s stay at the crease ended at 23. 

Kusal Mendis and Sahan Arachchige then started a rebuild job for Sri Lanka, while upping the scoring rate slowly and surely. The pair looked good to lay a good platform for the Lankans, as the stand reached the 72-run mark.

Saqib Zulfiqar would then strike against the run of play as Mendis missed a sweep and was trapped lbw for 43. He decided to review the call but in vain, walking back after a decent knock of 43. 

The contest was in the balance at the halfway mark, with Sri Lanka’s score at 124/3.

Arachchige, joined by Charith Asalanka on the crease would establish another vital partnership for Sri Lanka, but could not turn it into a big one. The pair had a stand of 64 before Zulfiqar struck again to dismiss Arachchige for a well-made 57. 

This wicket brought about a collapse for the Lankans, as the Netherlands would spring into life. In the same Zulfiqar over, Asalanka lost his wicket to a close run out for 36. The next over would bring the wicket of Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka, as a simple catch by Vikramjit off the bowling of Logan van Beek sent him packing for 1. 

Dhananjaya de Silva was the next to follow suit for 4 against Klein as a fruitful spell for the Netherlands fetched them four wickets in four overs, leaving Sri Lanka reeling. 

The four quick wickets ensured that Sri Lanka would fall short of the massive score they were targeting after a steady start. The tail along with Wanindu Hasaranga tried their best to ensure that Sri Lanka added as many runs as possible, with Hasaranga chipping in with a vital 29 runs.

Maheesh Theekshana (13) and Matheesha Pathirana were the other batters to be dismissed as a brilliant Dutch performance ensured that Sri Lanka were bowled out for 233 in 47.5 overs. 

Earlier, Netherlands won the toss and opted bowl first at the Harare Sports Club, sticking with the trend maximising new-ball threats in the morning and chasing in the afternoon.

Dutch skipper Scott Edwards confirmed Bas de Leede had returned to County cricket duty and will not feature in the tournament final. Noah Croes received his cap for an ODI debut as de Leede’s replacement, though it meant the side were effectively down a bowling option. While known as a wicketkeeper-batter, Croes took part in the field with Edwards keeping the gloves.

For Sri Lanka, Dimuth Karunaratne sat out in preparation for Test cricket duties, while Dushan Hemantha also missed out to accommodate Wanindu Hasaranga and Dhananjaya de Silva’s return.

Playing XIs

Sri Lanka: Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Sahan Arachchige, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka

Netherlands: Scott Edwards (c, wk), Vikram Singh, Max O’Dowd, Wesley Barresi, Teja Nidamanuru, Noah Croes, Saqib Zulfiqar, Logan van Beek, Ryan Klein, Aryan Dutt, Clayton Floyd

Source - ICC

-Agencies