After a disappointing defeat in their first warm-up match, Sri Lanka have bounced back strongly and defeated Ireland by 41 runs in their second practice match at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground in Lauderhill, Florida.
The game began with Sri Lanka facing a challenging start. They were put into bat first and experienced an early setback when they lost their key wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis and another batter, Kamindu Mendis, in the fourth over. The Irish bowlers capitalized on their early success, making significant inroads and reducing Sri Lanka to 97/6 in 13.1 overs. It looked like Ireland had the upper hand.
However, it was Sri Lanka’s lower middle order that staged a remarkable recovery. Skipper Wanindu Hasaranga played a crucial hand with 26 runs off 21 balls. He was ably supported by Angelo Mathews, who scored 32 off 30 balls, and Dasun Shanaka, who added a quick 23 off 15 balls. Together, they helped Sri Lanka to a respectable total of 163 runs.
In reply, Ireland’s batting lineup struggled to capitalize on their starts. Each of their top and middle-order batters managed to get starts but failed to convert those into substantial scores. The disciplined Sri Lankan bowling attack consistently applied pressure, never allowing the Irish batters to break free. As a result, Ireland was bowled out for 122 in 18.2 overs.
The standout bowler for Sri Lanka was Dasun Shanaka, who claimed impressive figures of 4/23. Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana provided excellent support, bagging 2/40 and 2/14 respectively. Their combined effort ensured that Ireland could not mount a serious challenge in their chase.
Meanwhile, at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, Afghanistan put forth a commanding performance against Scotland. Choosing to bat first after winning the toss, Afghanistan posted a formidable total of 178 runs, losing eight wickets in the process.
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The highlight of Afghanistan’s inning was former skipper Gulbadin Naib, who delivered a masterclass with the bat. Naib scored a scintillating 69 runs off just 30 deliveries, featuring five fours and six towering sixes. His assault on the Scottish bowlers came at a strike rate of 230.00, effectively turning the tide in Afghanistan’s favor.
Emerging allrounder Azmatullah Omarzai provided valuable support to Naib with a composed 48 off 36 balls. Despite their efforts, the Scottish bowlers struggled to make a significant impact, except for Chris Sole, who finished with figures of 3/35 from his four-over spell, and Bradley Currie, who took 2/26.
In response, Scotland’s batting lineup faltered under the pressure of the chase. They never quite found their rhythm, eventually managing to score only 123 runs in their 20 overs. Afghanistan’s bowlers ensured that Scotland remained on the back foot throughout their innings.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman was exceptional with the ball, claiming 2 wickets for 23 runs. Karim Janat also put in a stellar performance, picking up 2 wickets for just 13 runs. Their efforts were instrumental in keeping the Scottish batting lineup in check.
In both warm-up matches, the victorious sides demonstrated their capabilities and fine-tuned their preparations ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Sri Lanka’s lower middle order and disciplined bowling attack provided a confidence boost after their initial setback. Similarly, Afghanistan’s top-order resilience and tight bowling underscored their potential as a competitive unit.
With these wins under their belts, both teams are eagerly looking forward to bringing their momentum into the main tournament. For Ireland and Scotland, these matches offered valuable lessons and highlighted areas needing improvement before they step into the high-stakes games of the World Cup.
As the cricketing world turns its attention to the main event, the sense of anticipation builds, with fans eagerly awaiting thrilling performances and dramatic contests on the global stage. The warm-up matches have set the tone, and the teams are now ready to face the ultimate test in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
