Defending champion, West Indies, was booted out of the ICC T20 World Cup after their 20 runs loss to Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi Thursday.
Thrashed by England in their opening encounter by six wickets after been bowled out for 55 in 14.2 overs, it has been an uphill battle for the men in maroon colours from the Caribbean since then.
Sri Lanka recovered nicely following their defeat in their previous game to England by 26 runs to score 189 for in their allotted 20 overs on Thursday, after sent into bat by Kieron Pollard.
The Sri Lankans started positively reaching 42 before losing their first wicket. Kusal Perera was caught and bowled by Andre Russel for 29 after 5.2 overs, but a 91 runs partnership between Pathum Nissanka 51 from 41 balls and Charith Asalanka 68 from 41 deliveries put the issue beyond West Indies reach.
Nissanka (51) was caught by Shimron Hetmyer off the bowling of Dwayne Bravo with the score on 133 for 2 after 15.3 overs. Dasun Shanaka joined Asalanka and the pair added a further 46 in 3.1 overs before Asalanka (68) was caught by Heymyer off the bowling of Russell, at that time Sri Lanka motored along to 179 for 3 in 18.4 overs. Dasun Shanaka remains not out 25 from 14 deliveries.
Bowling for West Indies, Andre Russel picked up 2 for 33 and Dwayne Bravo had 1 for 42.
Requiring 190 for victory, the West Indies could not have asked for a worst start. Chris Gayle miserable form continued. He was first to go, caught de Silva for one off the bowling of Binura Fernando (1 for 1), in form Evin Lewis was next out bowled Binura Fernando for 8 (2 for 10), Roston Chase didn’t last too long, he was caught by Bhanuka Rajapaksa off the bowling of Chamika Karunaratne for 8 (3 for 47) after 5.3 overs.
Nicholas Pooran was the fourth batter out with the score on 77; he made 46 from 34 deliveries before adding 30 with Shimron Hetmyer. Andre Russel 2 (5 for 94), Kieron Pollard 0 (6 for 107), Jason Holder 8 (7 for 117), Dwayne Bravo 2 (8 for 131).
Akeal Hosein not out 1 and Shimron Hetmyer the only batter to show any resistance remain not out 81 from 54 deliveries, which included 8 fours and 4 sixes at a strike rate of 150.00.
Bowling for Sri Lanka, Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva 2 for 19,Binura Fernando 2 for 24, Chamika Karunaratne 2 for 43, Dasun Shanaka 1 for 18 and Dushmantha Chameera 1 for 41.
Player of the Match – Charith Asalanka.
Meanwhile, the West Indies will play their final Super 12 game today (Saturday 6th) against Australia at 10.00 a.m. in Abu Dhabi, England plays South Africa in Sharjah at 6.00 a.m.
On Sunday 7th, Group 2, from 6.00 a.m. New Zealand plays Afghanistan and Pakistan versus Scotland at 10.00 a.m.
The final Super 12 game will be played on Monday 8th from 10.00 a.m. between India and Namibia.
