Sri Lanka crush Ireland’s CWC Qualifier hopes as Scotland, Oman through
Dominant Sri Lanka crushed Ireland’s Super Six hopes with a thumping 133-run defeat and paved the way for Scotland and Oman to advance in the CWC Qualifier.
CWC Qualifier 15 saw tournament favorites Sri Lanka romp to a 133-run victory over Ireland thanks to Dimuth Karunaratne’s century and Wanindu Hasaranga’s five wickets.
With Karunaratne and Sadeera Samarawickrama leading the way, Sri Lanka piled up a massive total of 325 in 50 overs.
Having lost Pathum Nissanka (20) and Kusal Mendis (0) in two consecutive deliveries, Sri Lanka slipped to 48/2 at the end of the ninth over.
Karunaratne and Samarawickrama anchored the innings with an incredible 168-run partnership for the third wicket after back-to-back blows.
When Gareth Delany dislodged Samarawickrama, who fell just 18 short of his century, it appeared the pair had settled down and were aiming for centuries.
A 86-ball 82 came off four boundaries.
The Sri Lankan captain followed Samarawickrama’s example by walking back within two overs after top scoring.
On his way to a run-a-ball 103, he hit eight boundaries.
Afterward, Charith Asalanka (38) and Dhananjaya de Silva (42) contributed valuable knocks to Sri Lanka reaching the 300-run mark.
A brilliant four-wicket haul from Mark Adair led Ireland’s bowlers while Barry McCarthy returned three wickets and Gareth Delany had two wickets.
After being set a mammoth 326, the Irish batting lineup could only accumulate 192 before being dismissed for 31 runs.
While the rest seemed clueless, in-form Harry Tector (33) and Curtis Campher (39) offered brief retaliation against Sri Lankan spin bowlers.
In addition to his second consecutive five-wicket haul, Wanindu Hasaranga played a pivotal role in his team’s victory while Maheesh Theekshana took two wickets.
ARY ZAP is broadcasting the CWC Qualifier live.
Earlier in the day, Scotland outclassed Oman by 76 runs, with both sides qualified for the Super Sixes after Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan.
The first team, Scotland, reached 320 runs before being bowled out by South Africa on the final delivery thanks to a spectacular century by Brandon McMullen.
With 14 boundaries and three sixes, McMullen scored 121 balls for Scotland.
In addition to Richie Berrington’s 60 off 62 deliveries, he received significant support from the rest of the team.
A five-wicket haul by Bilal Khan for Oman could not prevent Scotland from putting up a big score.
Scots defeated Oman by 76 runs after their batsmen could only score 244/9 as a response.
In Oman’s disappointing batting performance, wicketkeeper Naseem Khushi scored the most runs.
While he smashed seven boundaries and three sixes in 53 balls, he was unable to lead his side to victory.
Greaves took five wickets and conceded just 53 runs in his quota of 10 overs for Scotland.