Madushanka, Rajitha help Sri Lanka book Netherlands at 262

LUCKNOW: Dilshan Madushanka and Kasun Rajitha claimed four wickets each to help Sri Lanka book the Netherlands at 262 despite Sybrand Engelbrecht and Logan van Beek’s gutsy half-centuries in the ICC World Cup 2023 at BRSABV Ekana cricket stadium.

Netherlands entered this match with momentum from their 38-run victory over South Africa and opted to bat first against Sri Lanka, who are yet to win a game in the tournament.

However, Kasun Rajitha bowled a brilliant spell with the new ball and reduced Netherlands to 54-3 in 12 overs.

Dilshan Madushanka bowled equally well from the other end and sent the next two Dutch batters back to the pavilion before Maheesh Theekshana bowled Scott Edwards to leave Netherlands reeling at 91-6.

Sri Lanka were all set to bundle out Netherlands quickly, but Sybrand Engelbrecht and Logan van Beek scripted a gutsy recovery for the Dutch side.

They knitted a formidable 130-run partnership for the seventh wicket to pull their team out of the trouble.

Engelbrecht scored 70 off 82, with the help of four boundaries and one six before Madushanka bowled him and broke the partnership at a total of 221.

Van Beek played an anchoring innings on the other end and completed his maiden half-century to help drag his team’s total to 252.

He was dismissed while attempting to send Rajitha’s slower ball over mid-wicket but was caught by Asalanka. His 75-ball 59 featured only one boundary and a six.

Paul van Meekeren was the last man to fall for the Netherlands in the final over at 262.

Madushanka claimed 4-49, while Rajitha returned with 4-50.