SL VS NAM MATCH 1
Match 1, Geelong, October 16, 2022, 09:30 AM
Namibia
163/7(20.0ov)
Sri Lanka
108/10(19.0ov)
Namibia beat Sri Lanka by 55 runs
That's it from this game. A surprising start to the tournament to be fair and we hope it continues the same way. Don't go far away as game two of group A is about to start. UAE will take on Netherlands. So, switch the tabs and join us there. It's goodbye from here!
Gerhard Erasmus says last year was a special journey and it is a special day for them. Tells they have brought a winning culture into the team with the limited resources they have and also with the wonderful coaching staff they have. On the Head Coach, Pierre de Bruyne, he has turned the whole ship around. Ends by saying this is a payback for his effort.
Dasun Shanaka says they didn't execute well with the ball which is a bit of concern. Adds they need to build some partnerships and the openers need to give a good start. Reckons they need to trust the process and not do anything special.
Jan Frylinck is the Player of the Match. He says he is speechless at the moment after what they achieved and he is very excited right now. Adds JJ Smit took the pressure of him and eventually they reached a competitive total. Appreciates the bowler's performance. Informs the pitch was two-paced.
...Presentation coming up...
Gerhard Erasmus during the toss told that this pitch will aid his bowlers! It turned out to be very true. David Wiese struck in the second over but it was Ben Shikongo who struck twice in two wickets to put Sri Lanka on the back foot completely. Namibia did well to take wickets at regular intervals. Once, they got the opposition skipper, Namibia started believing that an upset is on the cards. A special mention to Namibia's fielding, it was absolutely brilliant as they took some outstanding catches. Earlier, it was crucial for Namibia to get a good finish and the cameos from Jan Frylinck and JJ Smit turned out to be a match-winning one. The Lankan bowlers gave away 68 runs in the last five overs and lost the match there.
Sri Lanka were disappointing with the bat. They didn't start well and kept losing wickets at regular intervals. The hopes were still alive when Dasun Shanaka and Bhanuka Rajapaksa were in the middle but the wicket of the latter started a big collapse. Dasun Shanaka's wicket completely shattered the dreams and Sri Lanka who were firm favorites to win this game and win the group have to recheck the status. What a start to the ICC T20I World Cup 2022.
Well played Namibia! Really well played! They have defeated the Asia Cup champions comprehensively. To be honest, no one saw this coming but that is the beauty of the big tournaments. A statement win by Namibia here.
In over# 19
0W
0
0
0
1
1
David Wiese 16/2(4)
18.6
W
OUT! TAKEN! There it is! Namibia win! This is full and outside off. Dushmantha Chameera swings across but without conviction and Gerhard Erasmus at deep mid-wicket takes the catch. NAMIBIA WIN BY 55 RUNS.
18.5
.
Short and outside off. Dushmantha Chameera swings and misses.
18.4
.
Very full and angling on leg. Dushmantha Chameera looks to jam it out but goes through his leg.
18.3
.
This one dies off the deck, slower and outside off. Dushmantha Chameera is surprised as he looks to flick but misses.
18.2
1
A slower one on middle, pushed to third man for one more.
18.1
1
Length ball, outside off. Dushmantha Chameera looks to work on the leg side but gets an outside edge to third man for a single.
In over# 18
1
1
6
0
1
0
Jan Frylinck 26/2(4)
17.6
1
Fuller ball on middle. Dushmantha Chameera chips it to long on for a single.
17.5
1
Around off, pushed through covers for a single.
17.4
6
SIX! Maheesh Theekshana can hit it well! this is full and on middle. Maheesh Theekshana slogs and deposits it over square leg for a biggie.