Saturday Nov 02, 2024
FT
Saturday Nov 02, 2024
Saturday, 2 November 2024 04:14 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
2007 Champions, Sri Lanka qualified for the quarter-finals of the Hong Kong International Cricket Sixes in Hong Kong when they won both their group matches against Oman and Bangladesh on the opening day yesterday to head Group D.
Sri Lanka came up with a strong batting performance to beat Oman by four wickets with 11 balls to spare and followed it up with an impressive bowling performance against Bangladesh.
Oman were restricted to a total of 78-2 in their quota of 6 overs of which the captain Vinayak Shukla scored 50* off 18 balls (6 sixes, 2 fours).
Sri Lanka knocked the runs off quite comfortably scoring 82-2 off 4.1 overs. They were given an exhilarating start by Sandun Weerakkody who slammed 4 sixes and a four in the opening over in his contribution of 28. The momentum was carried on by Thanuka Dabare (18) and Lahiru Madushanka (15*) and Lahiru Samarakoon (20* with 3 sixes). Dhananjaya Lakshan who bowled his solitary over conceding just six runs for one wicket was named
Player of the Match.
In the second match, Bangladesh did well to keep Sri Lanka down to a score of 107-3 of which skipper Lahiru Madushanka contributed 48* off 17 balls (5 sixes, 3 fours), Thanuka Dabare (32 off 12, 2 sixes, 4 fours) and Weerakkody (18 off 6, 3 sixes).
Bangladesh who had put up a tremendous batting display against Oman scoring 147-0, could not get their batting into top gear due to some smart bowling by Sri Lanka and replied with 89-3 to lose by 18 runs. Mohammad Saifudeen top scored for them with 42* off 17 balls (5 sixes). Lahiru Samarakoon bowled two splendid overs conceding 26 runs for 2 wickets. Madushanka was named Player of the Match.
Sri Lanka will meet the runner-up of Group B in the quarter-finals today. The winner and runner-up of the group will be decided today after Australia plays Nepal. Both teams have one win each having beaten England, the third team in the group.
Sri Lanka were one of three teams to come through unscathed on the opening day of the HK Sixes. Five times champions South Africa and Pakistan also won their two respective group matches played yesterday.
South Africa defeated Hong Kong in the opening match of the tournament and followed it up with a win against New Zealand. Pakistan have begun their campaign strongly defeating UAE and arch rivals India without losing a single wicket in both matches. The shock results on the opening day was Nepal beating five-times champion England by six wickets scoring 99-0 in reply to England’s 97-6. England with two losses have been relegated to compete for the Bowl.
The other surprise result was the losses suffered by New Zealand to hosts Hong Kong by 27 runs and strong contenders South Africa by 5 wickets. New Zealand will play Oman in the Bowl
section.
