SriLanka Crush West Indies, Reach World T20 Finals As India Take On South Africa
Sri Lanka defeated reigning World T20 champions West Indies by the controversial Duckworth Lewis system following a rain-hit tie at the Shere Bangla National Stadium at Mirpur. The win ensured them a berth in the finals of the World T20 tournament where they will meet the winners of the India vs South Africa match that is scheduled to happen on April 4, 2014.
Before rain hit the all-important World T20 matchup, Sri Lanka had scored 160 runs in its quota of 20 overs. Lahiru Thirimanne top scored for the Lankans with a 35 ball 44 that included 2 sixes and 3 fours. Angelo Mathews also chipped in with a quick-fire 40 off 23 balls. Tillakaratne Dilshan opened the innings and hung around for a run-a-ball 39 before falling prey to a run out. For West Indies, K Santokie was the pick of the bowlers who grabbed 2 wickets in his 4 overs. He did give away 46 runs in the process, though.
West Indies began its chase in style with one of the most expensive first overs in this year’s World T20 tournament. Dwayne Smith hammered Nuwan Kulasekara all around the park for 17 runs. However, with Lasith Malinga taking up things from the second over, things slowed down considerably. Both Chris Gayle and Smith were clean bowled by him eventually and the West Indies scoreboard only managed to trickle along. This was to prove disastrous for them eventually because of the rains. At the end of the eighth over, the Caribbeans were tottering at 34 for 3.
Dwayne Bravo top scored for the Windies’ with a 19 ball 30 – but his antics came too late as by the end of the 13th over, heavy rain and hail pelted the stadium making any further progress impossible. They needed 81 runs from 37 balls to reach the World T20 finals.
Sri Lanka were chosen the eventual winners using the ever controversial Duckworth Lewis system which calculated that the West Indies would have fallen 27 runs short.
Meanwhile, India will take on South Africa later today evening in the second semifinals of the World T20. India, who has been undefeated over the course of the tournament are the hot favorites for the semifinals. If they manage to overcome the South African challenge, the final set up would be reminiscent of the 2011 World Cup finals where India and Sri Lanka met.
Sri Lanka would have a real chance to avenge the defeat of that match in this final of the World T20 tournament.
[Image via CricketCounty]
