In the match to keep alive the hope of playing in the Champions Trophy, Sri Lanka lost the toss against New Zealand and went into bat. After losing the toss and batting against New Zealand, the Lankans lost their first wicket for just three runs. After that, Sri Lanka kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Kushal Perera scored a personal fifty for the Lankans today. But despite picking up a half-century, he could not take his innings further. Returned with 51 runs. Losing wickets at regular intervals, the Lankans finally managed to score 171 runs in 46 overs with all wickets lost. Only 5 batters of the team could reach double digits.
The Lankans lost their first wicket for just three runs at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Pathum Nisanka went to the Finn with 2 runs off 8 balls after being a victim of Tim Southee. Kushal Mendis and Sadira Samaravikrama also went back on Pathum Nisanka’s path. These two batsmen could not reach double figures today. Kushal Mendis went back to 6 runs and Sadira Samarawickrama went back to 1 run.
After losing three wickets for 32 runs, Kushal Perera and Charith Asalanka formed a partnership. The Lankans tried to turn around by relying on this pair. In between, Kushal Perera picked up a half century. He picked up his half century in just 22 balls.
But this pair was broken by Charith Asalanka’s departure for the team’s 70 runs. Charith Asalanka, who scored 8 runs off 8 balls, went back to the dugout after being lbw by Trent Boult.
Kushal Pererao returned along the path of Charith Asalanka. He went back to being a victim of Lockie Ferguson scoring 51 off 28 balls. On his departure, the Lankans lost 5 wickets for 70 runs.
After losing 5 wickets for 70 runs, Angelo Mathews and Dhananjaya de Silva formed a partnership. The Lankans completed the team’s century in 15 overs with this pair.
But Angelo Mathews left the team with 104 runs and this pair was broken. Angelo Mathews returned to Sajighar by handing over the catch to Daryl Mitchell in Mitchell Santner’s slip for 17 off 27 balls. The pair of 38 runs broke on his departure.
Dhananjaya de Silva also returned one run after the dismissal of Angelo Mathews. He returned to Mitchell Santner’s second victim. He scored 19 runs off 24 balls before getting out.
Chamika Karunaratne got the team back to 113 after the dismissal of Dhananjaya de Silva. Lockie returned to the pavilion as Ferguson’s second victim with just 6 runs off 17 balls.
Losing 8 wickets for 113 runs, the Lankans could not take their innings further. Dusmantha Chamira and Mahesh Thekshana scored 15 runs in the ninth wicket and Dilshan Madushanka and Mahesh Thekshana scored 43 runs in the tenth wicket. The Lankans lost all wickets in 46 overs and scored 171 runs. Mahesh Thekshana remained unbeaten on 38 runs.
(09 November/NBW)