Sri Lanka first into semis; knocks out defending World T20 champs England

The ICC 2012 World T20 host Sri Lanka last night became the first team to reach semi finals as it beat England by 19 runs at Pallakelle.

England which were the defending champions, bowed out of the tournament.  West Indies is the other qualifier for semis from the Group.

In the Group 2, Australia play Pakistan today at 3.30 p.m. at R. Premadasa Stadium whilst India taken on South Africa at 7.30 p.m.

The victory was powered by an impressive spell of bowling by Lasith Malinga who took 5 for 31 including three wickets in his first over.

Batting first, Sri Lanka scored 169 in its 20 overs with Captain Mahela Jayawardena tops coring with 42 off 38 balls with one six and five 4s. Angelo Mathews scored 28 off 19 balls and Thisara Perera unbeaten 26 off 16 balls. Jeevan Mendis (18), T. Dilshan (16) and Kumar Sangakkara and Lahiru Thirimanne scored 13 boosted the total. England Captain Stuart Broad was pick of the bowlers taking three wickets for 32 runs.

England in reply managed only 150 runs with the loss of 9 wickets within its 20 overs. It struggled at the start losing 3 wickets in 18 runs but a some home emerged when S.R. Patel and E. Morgan put on a 55 run partnership for fourth wicket and later on Patel and Greame Swann putting a quick-fire 51 runs for the eighth wicket.

Patel top scored for England with 67 off 48 balls powered by two 6s and eight 4s. Swann scored 34 off 20 balls.

Apart from Malinga, Akila Dananjaya took two wickets for 26 whilst Nuwan Kulasekara and Jeevan Mendis took a wicket each. Ajantha Mendis went wicket less giving 40 runs in his 4 overs.