Namibia stun former champions Sri Lanka on the opening day of the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia.
Sri Lanka’s 2022 ICC Males’s T20 World Cup marketing campaign suffered a disastrous begin as the previous champions crashed to a 55-run loss towards plucky Namibia in Geelong.
Arriving as shock Asia Cup champions, Sri Lanka had hoped to make an early assertion towards the African affiliate facet in entrance of 1000’s of expectant supporters on a sun-bathed afternoon at Kardinia Park on Sunday.
As an alternative, it was Namibia absorbing their most interesting worldwide win a 12 months after storming into the Tremendous 12s on the final T20 World Cup within the United Arab Emirates.
The left-handed Jan Frylinck and JJ Smit (31*) lifted Namibia to 163-7 with a 69-run seventh-wicket stand after being invited to bat first.
Sri Lanka have been then bowled out for 108 in 19 overs, with David Wiese, Frylinck, Bernard Scholtz and Ben Shikongo taking two wickets every within the group’s first of three opening-round matches.
What a win for Namibia 🇳🇦and what begin to the ICC Males’s T20 World Cup!! #T20WorldCup #SLvNAM
— Mpumelelo Mbangwa (@mmbangwa) October 16, 2022
“It’s been a historic day for us. The opening day has been fairly particular however we wish to kick on from right here and qualify for the Tremendous 12 stage. We perceive the larger image as effectively,” Namibia skipper Gerhard Erasmus mentioned after the gorgeous win.
Sri Lanka crashed to 21 for 3 and their chase was all however over when captain Dasun Shanaka fell for 29, his group nonetheless 76 runs brief with three wickets in hand.
“As soon as we lose three wickets within the powerplay, we’re normally out of the sport,” mentioned Shanaka. “The plans needs to be easy, we want not do something particular. We’ve acquired a great group, it’s in regards to the course of.”
Sri Lanka must choose themselves up with out the companies of left-arm quick bowler Dilshan Madushanka, who was dominated out of the match with a quadriceps muscle tear in an enormous blow.
Issues strikes quick in T20: just a few hours in the past, as the primary innings of this recreation was happening, Pat Cummins was requested about favourites for the match and put Sri Lanka in there after their Asia Cup win#T20WorldCup
— Andrew McGlashan (@andymcg_cricket) October 16, 2022
