The 38th match of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024 took place between Sri Lanka vs Netherlands at Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet in St Lucia on Jun 16, 08:30 PM local. While Kusal Mendis, Asalanka and other batters stepped up with the bat, Nuwan Thushara claimed 3 wickets to seal the deal by 83 runs.

Put into bat first, Sri Lanka had a steady start. Although opener Pathum Nissanka got out for a 2-ball duck, Kusal Mendis and Kamindu Mendis steadied the ship. However, the latter got out for 17 runs and Dhananjaya de Silva joined Kushal in the middle and they stitched a 45-run partnership before Aryan Dutt dismissed Mendis for 46 runs as well.

Hasaranga–Mathews scores quickfire knocks

Soon, Asalanka joined in the middle and built a partnership with de Silva and they added quick 39 runs. Dhananjaya de Silva got out after scoring 34 whereas Mathews smashed a quickfire 30 off 15 with a four and 2 sixes as well. Meanwhile, W Hasaranga smashed 20 off 6 with a four and 2 sixes. Both Mathews and Hasaranga remained unbeaten and they posted a huge total of 201 for 6 in 20 overs as well. Logan van Beek scalped 2 wickets for his side. However, this was the highest total in the T20 World Cup without an individual 50+ score as well.

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Michael Levitt and Scott Edwards shine with the bat

While chasing, the Netherlands got off to a flying start with openers Michael Levitt (45) and Max ODowd (11) adding 45 runs in 4.3 overs. However, they got out soon after and a lack of contribution from Vikramjit Singh (7) and Sybrand Engelbrecht (11) left them struggling at 68 for 4 in 8.3 overs as well.

However, Scott Edwards tried to steady the ship with 31 off 24 runs but he didn’t get support from the other end as Sri Lanka bowlers did well to put pressure on in the middle overs. Nuwan Thushara picked up 3 wickets whereas Wanindu Hasaranga and Matheesha Pathirana claimed 2 each and bundled Netherlands out for 118 in 16.4 overs as well. Notably, this was the biggest win for Sri Lanka in T20 World Cups (by runs).

Player of the Match

Charith Asalanka said – “To be honest, the conditions are better here than in the USA. We all enjoyed the ball coming onto the bat and that allowed us to play our shots. I’m enjoying my finishing role, it’s a tough place to bat at 5, you can come in at 10 for 3 or 100 for 3, I have to adjust to the conditions. I think I have to improve a bit more and be more consistent. Little bit disappointed about the results in the first two matches, but we enjoyed the tournament as a team.”