Top ranked Sri Lanka stormed into the final of the ICC World Twenty20 eliminating West Indies by 27 runs via D/L method in the hailstorm-interrupted 1st semi-final at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Thursday. Chasing 161 runs, West Indies scored 80 runs for four in 13.5 overs when hailstorm coupled with rain and wind opened at 9:42pm. Later, the game officially called off at 10:26 pm as the play could not resume due to the drenched outfield. Sri Lanka were declared winner through the Duckworth-Lewis calculation as West Indies had them 27 runs adrift. For West Indies, number five batsman Dwayne Bravo made the team’s highest 30 runs off 19 balls with three fours and a six while Marlon Samuels 18 from 29 deliveries with one four and Dwayne Smith 17 from 14 deliveries featuring one four and a six. Lasith Malinga claimed two wickets for 5 in 2 overs while Seekkuge Prasanna and Nuwan Kulasekara took one wicket each conceding 15 and 22 runs respectively. Earlier, batting first after winning the toss, Sri Lanka posted their lucky score of 160 runs for 6 in 20 overs. Sri Lanka made a flying start with opener Kusal Perera (26) and Tillakaratne Dilshan (39) making 41 runs in 3.6 overs. However, they faced a jolt losing two big wickets — Mahela Jayawardene (0) and Kumar Sangakkara (1) at 49 for 3 in 6.2 overs. In the 4th wicket stand, Lahiru Thirimanne pairing with number two batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan repaired the early lose making 50 runs in 6.4 overs before Dilshan fell victim of run out by Darren Sammy. Lahiru Thirimanne scored 44 runs off 35 balls with three fours and two sixes and was caught by Simmons off a Santokie bowling. Angelo Mathews hammered a quick innings of 40 runs from 23 deliveries featuring three fours and two sixes and was adjudged man of the match. Krishmar Santokie claimed two wickets for 46 runs in his four overs spell while Samuel Badree and Andre Russell took one wicket each conceding 23 and 37 runs respectively. .. UNB, Dhaka.
