Bowlers, Sahan Arachchige star in Sri Lanka's dominating win over Netherlands in Final
Sri Lankan batters had a rare off day but Sahan stood tall with his fifty and bowlers crashed the Netherlands batting lineup to win the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers 2023.
Shahriar KabirEditor
Posted - 2023-07-09T19:22:25+06:00
Updated - 2023-07-09T19:22:25+06:00
Sri Lanka stamped their authority in the day of the final as they thumped Netherlands by 128 runs to win the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers 2023 on Sunday (9th July) at Harare Sports Club, Harare. A clinical performance in every facets of the game from Sri Lanka helped them win the title and reach the world cup.
On the eve of the final, the Dutch skipper Scott Edwards won the toss and as always they chose to bowl first. After being put into bat first, Sri Lanka a good start as their openers added 39 on the opening stand before Dutch opener Vikramjit Singh got the wicket of Samarawickrama for 19. Vikramjit yet again gave another breakthrough and this time he got high flying Pathum Nissanka. Wk batter Kusal Mendis and Sahan Arachchige made a partnership of 72 runs before Saqib Zulfiqure trapped Mendis infront of his pads for LBW. Sahan and Asalanka had a nice stay together as this duo added 64 runs before Saqib Zulfiqure gave pivotal breakthrough for Dutch as he picked up the wicket of Sahan Arachchige for his 57 off only 71 balls.
After the departure of Sahan, Asalanka too unluckily got ran out for a breezy 36 off 36. Since then, Sri Lanka crashed like dominoes and they collapsed horribly. Soon they became 190-7 from 180-4. But Wanindu Hasaranga's breezy 29 off 21 helped Sri Lanka post a total of 233 runs on the board. For Netherlands, Van Beek, Ryan Klein, Vikramjit Singh and Saqib Zulfiqure were among the wickets as they all picked up 2 wickets apiece. Aryan Dutt got the last one.
Chasing 234, Dutch openers added 25 before Dilshan Madushanaka picked up the wicket of Vikramjit Singh. Barresi got a duck as Dilshan's peach rattled through his stumps. Wanindu Hasaranga then trapped Teja Nidamanuru infront of his pads for LBW. Dutch skipper Scott Edwards unluckily ran out and Netherlands fell to a deep hole as they were crumbling at 49-7. And they eventually managed to cruise pass 100 mark barrier as their tail wagged but couldn’t go far as they were bundled for 105, which only means Sri Lanka won the ICC Cricket World Cup qualifers 2023.
Nevertheless Netherlands will play the forthcoming world cup along with Sri Lanka. Zimbabwe, Windies and Ireland 3 test playing nations are out from the race.