World Cup minnows Namibia have opened the T20 tournament with a stunning 55-run upset thrashing of Sri Lanka...
"I'm a little bit speechless ... Captain Dasun Shanaka called for calm, with Sri Lanka now needing wins over the UAE and the Netherlands in their group to progress. Namibia's rally rolled into the start of the Sri Lankan innings, with 22-year-old fast bowler Ben Shikongo on a hat-trick in the fourth over. But Frylinck and Smit turned the match with a big-hitting stand of 70 from 34 balls as the Sri Lankan attack lost its way. Jan Frylinck and JJ Smit batted them back into the match with a mighty seventh-wicket stand, Namibia defended their 7-163 with great bowling and fielding to dismiss Sri Lanka for 108 from 19 overs. Namibia are in the box seat to do it again after they outclassed their opposition on Sunday, only a month after Sri Lanka won the Asia Cup.
A boisterous pro-Sri Lankan crowd was silenced in stunning fashion - and even the victors didn't see it coming.
Captain Dasun Shanaka called for calm, with Sri Lanka now needing wins over the UAE and the Netherlands in their group to progress. Namibia’s rally rolled into the start of the Sri Lankan innings, with 22-year-old fast bowler Ben Shikongo on a hat-trick in the fourth over. Frylinck was run out on the last delivery of the innings and top-scored with 44 from 28 balls, while Smit hit two sixes and two fours in his unbeaten 31 from 16 deliveries. But Frylinck and Smit turned the match with a big-hitting stand of 70 from 34 balls as the Sri Lankan attack lost its way. Jan Frylinck and JJ Smit batted them back into the match with a mighty seventh-wicket stand, Namibia defended their 7-163 with great bowling and fielding to dismiss Sri Lanka for 108 from 19 overs. Namibia are in the box seat to do it again after they outclassed their opposition on Sunday, only a month after Sri Lanka won the Asia Cup.
The T20 World Cup already has its best storyline and there's a key reason Namibia was able to take down 2012 winners Sri Lanka. 2 min read.
“A massive event in our lives, and as such it should be celebrated. We’ve seen it, we’ve tasted it, and because we’ve closed that gap by becoming one step closer to them and getting the physical feel for what it’s like, I think that’s really what gave us the belief this time around that well, this is a cricket game, and I think if we execute better on the day, we stand a good chance. “We can now physically and skilfully relate to that level.