Twitter Reactions: Namibia register a thumping famous win over Asian Champions to start T20 WC 2022 on a high

Sri Lanka were never in the chase and lost by a huge margin of 55 runs.

By Manoj Kumar

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Namibia
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Namibia. (Photo Source: Twitter)

It couldn't have been a better start to the T20 World Cup 2022 as Namibia managed to upset the Asia Cup champions Sri Lanka in the first match of the ICC event in Australia. The terrific partnership between Jan Frylink and JJ Smit changed the game in Namibia's favour and Sri Lanka could not come back from the final overs assault they faced.

Earlier in the game, Sri Lanka opted to bowl first after winning the toss and Dushmantha Chameera was on the money straightaway by picking up Namibia opener Michael van Lingen for just three runs. Pramod Madushan removed the other opener Divan la Cock for nine runs and left Namibia tottering at 16 for 2. Loftie Eaton hit two sixes in his 12-ball 20 while Stephen Baard and Gerhard Erasmus stuck around for a while with a 41-run partnership.  

However, Sri Lanka bowlers kept attacking and it looked like curtains for Namibia at 93 for 6 until Jan Frylinck and JJ Smit joined hands at the crease. The duo stitched a partnership of 70 runs in just 34 balls and got their side to a formidable total of 163 for 7 from nowhere.

Frylinck was the top-scorer with his 28-ball 44 while Smit played his part in an aggressive knock of 16-ball 31. For Sri Lanka, Mahesh Theekshana was the pick of the bowlers with 1 for 23 in his four overs while the pace bowlers leaked a few in the death overs.  

Sri Lanka lose wickets in a bundle in middle-overs

In reply, the Sri Lankan openers did not get the usual start they would have wanted and were sent on the backfoot with the early dismissals of Pathum Nissanka (9) and Kusal Mendis (6). Danushka Gunathilaka was dismissed for a golden duck, while Dhananjaya de Silva perished soon after adding just 12 runs. It was up to Bhanuka Rajapaska (20) and Dasun Shanaka (29) to lead the side home and they showed glimpses with a quickfire partnership of 34 for the fifth wicket.  

However, once the pair were removed, there was a flurry of wickets and Sri Lanka’s lower order could not hang around for much time. At 92 for 9, the game was already over and it was only a matter of time until the Island nation were surprised by Namibia with a spirited performance. In the end, Sri Lanka was bowled out for 108 in 19 overs and lost the game by 55 runs in the end.

Here's how Twitter reacted to Namibia's win:

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T20 World Cup 2024Sri LankaDasun ShanakaDavid Wiese