1:01pm Thank you, Madushka. I reckon this is going to be a low-scoring nail-biter! Netherlands managed to puncture Sri Lanka regularly enough to ensure the total wouldn't get out of hand and the innings remained on the simmer without quite coming to boil. Sri Lanka's hopes rest heavily on the shoulders of Hasaranga, who has been in phenomenal form throughout this qualifier. They will be relying on him to conjure up some magic and uplift the team. Hasaranga has already showcased his brilliance by taking three fifers in previous matches, snapped up 18 wickets and therefore his wizardry will be crucial. Theekshana will be joining him in a bid to derail Netherlands chase. It is crucial that the Dutch batters play ball on its merits and avoid reckless shots. If they can effectively negotiate the spin challenge and keep the scoreboard ticking, they have a big chance of turning the game in their favor. It will require smart shot selection, and calculated aggression to counter the spin threat.
Supzz: "Come on SriLanka. You have crawled home from worse than this"
Bimal: "I hope the Dutch don't make a too circumspect start. Sometimes when the target is relatively lesser, chasing teams tend to be more relaxed as they don't have to worry about the RRR. I hope Ned play positively and put away the bad balls right from the start..!! "
Srini : "The score 213 always takes me back to 1999 semis… hope this doesn't end in Tie today !!!
12.40pm Well what a performance by the Dutch! Having lost the toss and been asked to bowl on what looked initially like a flat surface, the Dutch absolutely rattled the Sri Lankan batters. Sri Lanka, of course, didn't help themselves with several batters getting out to some loose strokes. Logan van Beek and Ryan Klein picked up three apiece as Sri Lanka stumbled to 5 for 67 and then 7 for 131. The wicket started to take some turn and uneven bounce as the innings wore on, but Dhananjaya de Silva put forth a valiant solo effort to keep Sri Lanka in the reckoning. His 93 dragged Sri Lanka to a score beyond 200, though he eventually fell trying to accelerate at the death. Along the way he was helped by Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana, his partnership with the latter adding 77. Will that be enough though? Join Rvel in a bit for the start of the chase.
CBRLS Kumara lbw b de Leede 2 (9m 5b 0x4 0x6) SR: 40.00
Kapila: "Sorry SL supports, switched on TV and 2 wickets failed. I'm going to throw-away this damn TV!"
END OF OVER:47 | 2 Runs 1 Wkt | SL: 210/9 | RR: 4.46
- Dilshan Madushanka0 (4b)
- Lahiru Kumara1 (2b)
- Aryan Dutt8-0-34-1
- Bas de Leede9-0-39-2
Every run from this point is a bonus as far as Sri Lanka is concerned
Zubair Islam : "Dutch will need to bat slow n safe to reach this relatively low target..... let's see if they can survive n create n upset"
DM de Silva c de Leede b Dutt 93 (159m 111b 8x4 2x6) SR: 83.78
AiyoPol: "Considering none of the teams breached 200 when Sri Lanka is bowling so far in the tournament - enough to win here I think? However van Beek in dangerous form at the moment"
END OF OVER:46 | 7 Runs 1 Wkt | SL: 208/8 | RR: 4.52
- Lahiru Kumara0 (1b)
- Dhananjaya de Silva93 (110b)
- Bas de Leede9-0-39-2
- Aryan Dutt7-0-33-0
SL Supporter: "Noooooooooooo! *groans in agony"
Jamil: "Oh! Looks like Kapila has switched on his TV!"
M Theekshana c Barresi b de Leede 28 (55m 47b 1x4 0x6) SR: 59.57
Mashfi: "Looks like we need Kapila to switch their television on as soon as possible..."
DDS now has his highest ODI score
Into the final 5 overs, and Sri Lanka have crawled their way to 200, something that didn't look remotely possible at one point. How much more can they get from here?
END OF OVER:45 | 8 Runs | SL: 201/7 | RR: 4.46
- Dhananjaya de Silva87 (107b)
- Maheesh Theekshana27 (45b)
- Aryan Dutt7-0-33-0
- Ryan Klein9-0-38-1