Dutch Dreams Shattered as Bangladesh Clinches Super Eight Spot

Before the match began, the Netherlands still had a slim chance of advancing to the Super Eight in the ICC T20 World Cup. However, they needed a significant win against Sri Lanka and also had to depend on the outcome of the Nepal-Bangladesh match. Unfortunately for the Dutch, Bangladesh secured their Super Eight spot by defeating Nepal even before the Dutch match against Sri Lanka concluded, thereby ending their hopes. Shortly after, Sri Lanka drove the final nail in the coffin by defeating the Netherlands.

On Monday, at the Darren Sammy Stadium in Gros Islet, the Netherlands faced an 83-run defeat against Sri Lanka in their final group match. Batting first, Sri Lanka posted a formidable 201 for 6 in 20 overs. In response, the Netherlands were bowled out for 118 in 16.4 overs.

Winning the toss and opting to bat, Sri Lanka lost opener Pathum Nissanka on the second ball of their innings. The second-wicket partnership between Kusal Mendis and Kamindu Mendis added 39 runs off 30 balls. This stand was broken when Kamindu was dismissed for 17 runs off 20 balls. Dhananjaya de Silva contributed 34 runs.

In the latter part of the innings, Charith Asalanka played a stormy knock of 46 runs off 21 balls. Angelo Mathews, in a quickfire sixth-wicket stand, scored an unbeaten 30 runs off 15 balls, adding 35 runs off 14 balls with Wanindu Hasaranga. Hasaranga remained not out on 20 runs off just 6 balls.

Chasing a big total, the Netherlands started well, putting up 45 runs for the opening partnership. However, no other batsman could make a significant contribution, leading to a procession of wickets. The Dutch batting collapsed like a house of cards, losing 7 wickets for 82 runs. Captain Scott Edwards and Logan van Beek were the top scorers with 31 runs each for the Netherlands. They were eventually bowled out for 118 runs, handing Sri Lanka an 83-run victory.

For Sri Lanka, Nuwan Thushara took 3 wickets for 24 runs, while Matheesha Pathirana and Wanindu Hasaranga claimed 2 wickets each. Charith Asalanka was named the Player of the Match.