Super 12 - Match 3, Hobart, October 23, 2022, 09:30 AM
Ireland
128/8(20.0ov)
Sri Lanka
133/1(15.0ov)
Sri Lanka beat Ireland by 9 wickets
Right then, that is all we have from the first game of this Super Sunday. It is now time to shift our focus to the second game of the day and it is a big one, India are going up against Pakistan in Melbourne. That game will start at 1.30 pm IST (8 am GMT). So switch tabs and enjoy the coverage of that blockbuster encounter. Cheers!
Dasun Shanaka, the skipper of Sri Lanka says that he is really happy with the performance. Adds that they knew spin would play a major role. Mentions that Kusal Mendis is playing well and has adjusted according to conditions quickly. Tells that he is pleased with the death bowling and batting in the Powerplay and they need to do that consistently. Ends by thanking the Sri Lankan fans.
Andy Balbirnie, the skipper of Ireland says that he is disappointed with the batting effort. Adds that the plan was to put on 160+ but they were well short of that. Credits the Lankan bowlers and says there wasn't much spin but it was enough to challenge the bat. Tells that they need to improve as a batting group. Mentions that Tector is in good form and he is an important player for them. Says that the next game against England will be exciting as they haven't played a T20I against them in 11 years or so.
Kusal Mendis is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH! He says that he is enjoying the moment. Adds that the bowlers did very well to restrict Ireland to low score which allowed him to play his own game. Mentions that the plan was to utilise the Powerplay and to chase the target under 17 overs to improve the NRR. Ends by thanking the Sri Lankan supporters.
Time for the Presentation.
Ireland would be pretty disappointed with this performance. They decided to bat first after winning the toss despite chasing down a total comfortably against the Windies. In this game though, their batting faltered and apart from Tector and a decent contribution from Stirling at the top of the order no one really got going. They were always behind the 8-ball after that and when they gave away 63 runs before taking the first wicket with the ball, a big loss was just around the corner.
Sri Lanka were in the pole position coming into the second half courtesy of a fantastic bowling performance. Their three spinners took five wickets between them and Binura Fernando too was quite good in the death. With the bat, the openers made sure that the Irish were given no room to make their way back in this game as they notched up a 63-run opening stand. Dhananjaya de Silva departed after a brisk knock of 31 but Mendis carried on and got good support from Charith Asalanka as they chased the total down with five overs to spare. Mendis notched up another fifty as he remained unbeaten on 68 off just 43 balls.
Sri Lanka have delivered a clinical performance here at Hobart! They were favourites coming into this game and they have lived up to that billing. Irish, on the other hand, need to lift their game up if they want to bring down some more fancied teams in this group.
In over# 15
6
0
2
1
1
6
Simi Singh 20/0(2)
14.6
6
SIX! Kusal Mendis finishes things off in style! Simi Singh floats this one up, full and on middle, Kusal Mendis goes down and slog-sweeps it into the crowd over the deep square leg fence. SRI LANKA WIN BY 9 WICKETS WITH 30 BALLS REMAINING.
14.5
.
Short again and on off, Kusal Mendis cuts it hard towards point but the fielder dives to stop it.
14.4
2
Quicker, full and on off, Kusal Mendis stays there and guides it towards the vacant third man region for a couple of runs.
14.3
1
Short and outside off, Charith Asalanka cuts it past point for a single.
14.2
1
Tossed up, full and on off, Kusal Mendis looks to finish the game off with another slog-sweep but miscues it badly in the air and it falls safely in the deep mid-wicket region. Only a single.
14.1
6
SIX! BANG! Mendis has sent this out of the park! Simi Singh bowls this short and outside off, Kusal Mendis goes down and slog-sweeps it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie. Sri Lanka are one hit away from victory now!
Simi Singh is back on.
In over# 14
4
4
2
2
2
1wd
2
Josh Little 45/0(4)
13.6
4
FOUR! Supreme timing and just 12 needed now! A fullish delivery, outside off. Charith Asalanka drives it off the middle of his blade square off the wicket as the ball runs away towards the point fence.
13.5
4
FOUR! Good shot! Only four outside the circle and Charith Asalanka takes full advanatge of it. This is full and outside off. Charith Asalanka slams it over mid off for a boundary.