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Sri Lanka crush Dutch on their way to T20 Super 12 stage

Sri Lanka comprehensively beat the Netherlands by 8 wickets in the final match of the qualifying stage of the T20 World Cup at the Shaja cricket ground.

Opting to field first, Sri Lanka dismantled their opponent’s batting line up with a relentless barrage from the spin attack. Peter Seelaar’s men collapsed to 44 all out, the second lowest score in the history of the T20 World Cup. Unsurprisingly, Sri Lanka knocked off the target with 7.1 overs gone. As such, they booked their place in the Super 12s as group winners going into Group A.

Put into bat, the Netherlands were immediately on the back foot as Max ODowd was run out courtesy a direct hit from Dasan Shanaka.  Casual running from the pair saw ODowd run out at the non-striker’s end for two runs off three balls.

Things got worse from there. Coming in at three, Ben Cooper struck a couple of boundaries but he was soon was bowled by Lankan spinner Keetshana for nine off eight balls.

Opener Stephan Myburgh was then knocked over by the same bowler just two balls later as the Netherlands found themselves in a huge hole at 19/3 after three overs.

Colin Ackerman looked to inject some impetus into the innings with a six and a four in quick succession but he soon joined his team mates in the dug out. Struck plum in front of middle by Hasaranga, Ackerman reviewed after being given out but Hawk Eye confirmed his fait and he was sent packing for 12 off 11 and the Netherlands found themselves four down for 32 within five overs. The fifth fell on the same score with Bas de Leede falling to Hasaranga’s spin as well.

The sixth soon followed as Van De Merve was caught behind by Kusal Perera off the bowling off Chameera for a three ball duck.

Hasaranga then bagged another scalp, again an LBW. On this occasion it was Seelaar  who appeared clueless against the spin leaving his team at 40/7.

Kumara then got into the action as he claimed the wicket of Scott Edwards at the start of the 10th over for eight off 13 in what was yet another LBW decision.

It took only two balls for the next one. Brandon Glover was caught behind by Perera off the same bowler for without troubling the scorers in his two ball stay at the crease.

Kumara wrapped things up off the final ball off the same over as Van Meekeren became the latest LBW victim, however the ball did appear to be going down leg on this occasion.

In reply, the Lankans had little trouble in knocking of the meagre target they were set.

Although they did give something for the Netherlands to smile about when Nissanka was caught by Van Meekeren of the bowling of Glover for a five ball duck. That was however about as good as it good for the European nation as Kusal Perera notched six fours on his way to a 24-ball 33. The Lankans did lose another wicket as Asalanka was caught by Klaasan handing Van Meekeren a wicket, but Fernando and Perera saw them home with 12.5 overs and eight wickets to spare.

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