Sri Lanka defeated West Indies by 20 runs at the T20 World Cup on Thursday, confirming the defending champions’ elimination from the tourna...
Sri Lanka defeated West Indies by 20 runs at the T20 World Cup on Thursday, confirming the defending champions’ elimination from the tournament.
Chasing 190 to win, West Indies reached 169/8 in their 20 overs, leaving Australia and South Africa to fight for the final semi-final spot from Group 1 where leaders England are already effectively through.
Charith Asalanka (68) and Pathum Nissanka (51) led already-eliminated Sri Lanka to 189/3 before Shimron Hetmyer top-scored for West Indies with a career-best unbeaten 81.
Sri Lanka ended their campaign with two wins in five games while the West Indies have one victory in four ahead of their final pool clash with Australia on Saturday.
“They have a long career ahead and a lot of good cricket to come,” Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka said of Asalanka, 24, and 23-year-old Nissanka.
“Anywhere they go, they’ll have a special place in the team. I think the team is going in the right direction at the moment.”
Asalanka, coming in at number three, reached his half-century off 33 balls with a stylish innings boasting six fours. Opener Nissanka made 51 with his fifty coming off 39 balls with five fours.
Asalanka was eventually out for 68 in the 19th over of Sri Lanka’s innings, caught by Hetmyer at deep...
