So there concludes Group A’s first double-header. Two one-sided games set up by outstanding bowling performances by Ireland, first, and then Sri Lanka, kicking off their separate campaigns. Curtis Campher made history in the afternoon game, grabbing four wickets in four balls, before Sri Lanka thrashed visitors Namibia. That’s all we have for now. I’ll be back tomorrow. Until then, it’s farewell.
Shanaka SriLanka captain
We had a lot of things planned. I’m hoping to make it through this qualifying round. Everything went swimmingly for us. He’s been fantastic (Theekshana). Back at home, he’s been working out with Ajantha Mendis. There’s a lot more to it. They’ve been terrific in recent months (pacers). It is the most crucial aspect. Previously, they had speed but no execution. You may expect wonderful things from them in the future. Winning all three matches will put us in a good mood since we (will) be aware of the circumstances.
Erasmus Namibia captain
We have to take what we can and make the most of it. We need to regroup. There are two crucial games coming soon. Sri Lanka has a strong bowling assault. With 96 on the board, I suppose the batsmen have to show up. He’s always ready to bowl fast (Trumpelmann). I’m overjoyed for him to get a wicket. It’s a fantastic opportunity to promote our business and encourage children to compete on a global scale.
Maheesh Theekshana
I am overjoyed to be able to represent my nation. It’s a big deal for me because I’m only 21 years old. Off-season (is my stock ball). I was Man of the Match in my last game here, so it’s a lucky venue for me. I’d like to play in more games for my nation. My strategy is to take it one game at a time.
Sri Lanka returns home safely. There was a small hitch at the start of the chase as they fell to 26/3, but Rajapaksa came out and seized charge, with Avishka Fernando keeping them company. Namibia just did not have enough to make a contest out of it. Sri Lanka’s bowling assault, spearheaded by spin combination Theekshana and Hasaranga, proved too strong for them. Let’s hear from Theekshana, the Player of the Match.
Namibia Innings
| BATTING | R | B | M | 4s | 6s | SR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stephan Baard | c de Silva b Theekshana | 7 | 11 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 63.63 |
| Zane Green † | c Shanaka b Theekshana | 8 | 13 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 61.53 |
| Craig Williams | lbw b de Silva | 29 | 36 | 56 | 0 | 2 | 80.55 |
| Gerhard Erasmus (c) | c de Silva b Kumara | 20 | 19 | 33 | 2 | 0 | 105.26 |
| David Wiese | lbw b Karunaratne | 6 | 7 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 85.71 |
| JJ Smit | not out | 12 | 15 | 33 | 0 | 0 | 80.00 |
| Jan Frylinck | b Theekshana | 2 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton | lbw b de Silva | 3 | 6 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Ruben Trumpelmann | c Shanaka b Chameera | 1 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 33.33 |
| Pikky Ya France | b Kumara | 1 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Bernard Scholtz | run out (Nissanka) | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Extras | (lb 2, nb 1, w 4) | 7 |
| TOTAL | (19.3 Ov, RR: 4.92) | 96 |
| BOWLING | O | M | R | W | ECON | 0s | 4s | 6s | WD | NB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chamika Karunaratne | 4 | 0 | 17 | 1 | 4.25 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Dushmantha Chameera | 4 | 0 | 19 | 1 | 4.75 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Maheesh Theekshana | 4 | 0 | 25 | 3 | 6.25 | 12 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Lahiru Kumara | 3.3 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 2.57 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva | 4 | 0 | 24 | 2 | 6.00 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Srilanka Innings
| BATTING | R | B | M | 4s | 6s | SR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pathum Nissanka | lbw b Scholtz | 5 | 6 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 83.33 |
| Kusal Perera † | c Smit b Trumpelmann | 11 | 8 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 137.50 |
| Dinesh Chandimal | c †Green b Smit | 5 | 12 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 41.66 |
| Avishka Fernando | not out | 30 | 28 | 53 | 0 | 2 | 107.14 |
| Bhanuka Rajapaksa | not out | 42 | 27 | 42 | 4 | 2 | 155.55 |
| Extras | (lb 4, w 3) | 7 |
| TOTAL | (13.3 Ov, RR: 7.40) | 100/3 |
| BOWLING | O | M | R | W | ECON | 0s | 4s | 6s | WD | NB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Wiese | 2 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 5.50 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Ruben Trumpelmann | 3 | 0 | 27 | 1 | 9.00 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Bernard Scholtz | 3 | 0 | 16 | 1 | 5.33 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| JJ Smit | 1 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 7.00 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Pikky Ya France | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 6.00 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7.00 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jan Frylinck | 1.3 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 11.33 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Gerhard Erasmus | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5.00 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Match Info
| Toss | Sri Lanka, elected to field first |
| Series | ICC Men’s T20 World CupNamibia tour of United Arab Emirates |
| Season | 2021/22 |
| Player Of The Match | Maheesh Theekshana |
| Match number | T20I no. 1313 |
| Match days | 18 October 2021 – night (20-over match) |
| Umpires | Adrian Holdstock , Paul Reiffel |
| TV Umpire | Rod Tucker |
| Reserve Umpire | Marais Erasmus |
| Match Referee | David Boon |
| Points | Sri Lanka 2, Namibia 0 |
