Sri Lanka, led by Lahiru Madushanka, recorded back-to-back wins against Oman and Bangladesh to enter the quarter-finals of the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes tournament played at Mission Road Grounds in Hong Kong yesterday.
It was a superb, fighting effort from the Sri Lankan bowlers to secure an 18-run win over Bangladesh in their second game. Paceman Dhananjaya Lakshan started with a very successful first over, dismissing Bangladesh skipper Yasir Ali, who was bowled after scoring a six in their chase of 108 runs.
Jishan Alam hit 27 off 13 balls, while Mohammad Saifuddin remained unbeaten on 42 off 17 balls with 5 fours and a six, adding a 58-run second-wicket stand. However, all-rounder Lahiru Samarakoon bowled the fifth over, taking two vital wickets of Alam and Abu Hider, putting Bangladesh under pressure as they needed 39 runs in the last over. Off-spinner Thanuka Dabare bowled the final over, and Bangladesh managed only 20 runs, leading to Sri Lanka’s 18-run victory (89 for 3). Lahiru Madushanka was named the man of the match for this game against Bangladesh. Earlier, Sri Lanka scored 107 for 3 in their six overs, with skipper Lahiru Madushanka leading from the front, scoring an unbeaten 48 off 17 balls with 3 fours and 5 sixes. Opener Sadun Weerakkody contributed 18 with 3 sixes, and Thanuka Dabare made 32 off 12 balls with 4 fours and 2 sixes.
Sri Lanka beat Oman by 4 wickets
In the first game, Sri Lanka notched up a 4-wicket win with 11 balls to spare against Oman. Sri Lanka restricted Oman to 80 for 2 in 6 overs, with skipper Vinayak Shukla top-scoring with a retired 50 not out. Dhananjaya Lakshan (1 for 6) and Lahiru Madushanka (1 for 16) shared a wicket each.
Sri Lanka reached the target in 4.1 overs with 4 wickets in hand. Sandun Weerakkody scored 28 off 7 balls with a four and 4 sixes, while Lahiru Samarakoon remained unbeaten on 20 off 6 balls with 3 sixes. Dhananjaya Lakshan, who bowled a tidy first over, conceding only 6 runs while taking a wicket, was named the player of the match.
With two consecutive wins, Sri Lanka topped Group D, while Bangladesh, with one win over Oman, was placed second. Oman, without a single win, finished third in the group.
South Africa and Pakistan also recorded back-to-back wins to top their respective groups, while Australia and Nepal, each with one win, will play one more group match today before the quarterfinals.
Chief scores
Sri Lanka beat Oman by 4 wickets. Oman: 80 for 2 in 6 overs Vinayak Shukla 50 (retired n.o ), Asif Khan 18 *, Dhananjaya Lakshan 1/6, Lahiru Madushanka 1/16
Sri Lanka 82 for 2 in 4.1 overs Sandun Weerakkody 28, Thanuka Dabare 18,Lahiru Madushanka 15*, Lahiru Samarakoon 20*,Zikria Islam 1/17 ,Jiten Ramanandi 1/10
Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh by 18 runs.
Sri Lanka 107 for 3 wickets in 6 overs Sandun Weerakkody 18, Thanuka Dabare 32 ,Lahiru Madushanka 48*,Jishan Alam 2/6,Sohag Gazi 1/21
Bangladesh 89 for 3 wickets in 6 overs Jishan Alam 27, Mohammed Saifudeen 42*
