T20 World Cup 2022: Namibia beat Sri Lanka, scores, video, standings, news, results, how to watch
The T20 Cricket World Cup started with an absolute boilover in Group A.
Cricket minnows Namibia produced a result no one could have predicted after beating Asian Cup champions Sri Lanka by 55 runs.
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Sri Lanka looked top after choosing to throw the ball first as they scored Namibia 3/35 after five overs.
But in front of a raucous crowd at the GMHBA Stadium in Geelong, the fight back began as Jan Frilink scored 44 times in just 28 deliveries.
His innings helped Namibia post a respectable 7/163 or better, setting Sri Lanka to a tough but achievable score.
Namibia had other thoughts and stuck their opponents to the sword early on as Sri Lanka limped on 3/21 after 21 deliveries.
The wickets kept rolling as the Asian Cup champions threw them down under constant pressure exerted by the bowlers and Namibia’s excellent defense, eventually scoring 108 points.
Sri Lanka appeared to be back on the right track thanks to a 34-run partnership between Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Dasun Shanaka.
However, Rajapaksa’s departure saw Sri Lanka lose four wickets for just 18 runs as their hopes of securing victory fell by the wayside.
After contributing with the bat, Flylink produced a superb display with the ball in hand, finishing 2/26 from four overs and winning man of the match award.
“What we have achieved now is more than we ever thought we could do,” he said after the historic victory.
Bernard Scholz, Ben Sicongo and David Wiese all secured two wickets for Namibia, who had barely fallen off their feet after an early batting collapse.
Cricket fans were overwhelmed by the incredible upset to host the tournament.
The nightmare result means more disaster for Sri Lanka, which not only lost the contest but was swept out of the park by Namibia.
A one-sided loss puts them squarely behind 8ball in terms of net run rate, hoping the results will go well in the rest of the group games so they don’t have to fight their fellow powers.
Sri Lanka will play the UAE on Tuesday, while Namibia will play the Netherlands on the same day.
first published as Namibia beats Sri Lanka in big upset to open T20 World Cup
T20 World Cup 2022: Namibia beat Sri Lanka, scores, video, standings, news, results, how to watch
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