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Asalanka to the fore as Sri Lanka knock holders West Indies out of T20 World Cup

Early loss of openers Gayle and Lewis proves a defining setback for Windies

Sri Lanka’s Charith Asalanka plays a shot during the ICC men’s Twenty20 World Cup victory over West Indies at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Photograph: Photograph: Indranil Mukherjee/AFP via Getty Images
Sri Lanka’s Charith Asalanka plays a shot during the ICC men’s Twenty20 World Cup victory over West Indies at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Photograph: Photograph: Indranil Mukherjee/AFP via Getty Images
Thu Nov 04 2021 - 19:30

Charith Asalanka’s batting heroics were backed up by a fine bowling display as Sri Lanka comfortably beat West Indies by 20 runs to knock the holders out of the T20 World Cup.

Chasing 190, West Indies lost openers Chris Gayle (1) and Evin Lewis (8) within the first two overs and failed to overcome the early setbacks as the Sri Lankan bowlers picked up regular wickets in Abu Dhabi.

Earlier, the experienced Kusal Perera (29) got Sri Lanka off to a brisk start that was consolidated by a superb 91-run stand between the in-form duo of Pathum Nissanka (51) and Asalanka(68).

Asalanka was particularly severe on the Windies fast bowlers, striking eight fours and a six en route to his second T20 50 before captain Dasun Shanaka’s quickfire cameo of 25 propelled Sri Lanka to a total of 189-3.

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Abu Dhabi: Sri Lanka 189-3 (C Asalanka 68, P Nissanka 51) bt West Indies 169-8 (S Hetmyer 81no) by 20 runs.