On Tuesday, Karthik Meiyappan sparked the Twenty20 World Cup with a hat-trick. But it was in vain as Sri Lanka got back on track by dismissing the United Arab Emirates for just 73. Sri Lanka defeats UAE in T20 World Cup despite Meiyappan’s hat-trick. The Asian champions were blown out by Namibia by 55 runs in the tournament’s opening game on Sunday. It left them no margin for error in their matchup with the United Arab Emirates.
In response, they won dramatically by 79 runs. Sri Lanka was doing well at 117-2 in the 15th over before spin bowler Meiyappan struck, eliminating Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Charith Asalanka, and the captain Dasun Shanaka with three consecutive deliveries.
Sri Lanka defeats UAE in T20 World Cup despite Meiyappan’s hat-trick
It was the UAE’s first hat trick ever scored in a Twenty20 international. Only the fifth ever to score at a T20 World Cup. Pathum Nissanka made a tenacious 74, and the rest of Shanaka’s team posted 152-8 despite Meiyappan’s 3-19.
This puts a lot of weight on the net run rate in the remaining three Group A matches on Thursday, which might determine who advances to the Super 12 stage. 2014 winners Sri Lanka face the undefeated Netherlands in their next game, while Namibia takes on winless UAE.
To bat first, Sri Lanka got off to a good start, reaching 42 before Kusal Mendis (18) was held lbw by Aryan Lakra. The Sri Lankan fans blew their trumpets as Dhananjaya de Silva joined Nissanka, and the two crunched massive sixes.
Unfortunately, an inexperienced runout ended their 50-run partnership. Nissanka hit a hard drive, and De Silva rushed for it, but his teammate never came back for it. While watching Rajapaksa, Asalanka, and Shanaka fall to Meiyappan, Nissanka reached his ninth T20 half-century with a cover shot.
They only managed to score three runs while losing four wickets. Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva was caught by Aayan Afzal Khan after only four deliveries. As things heated up at one end, Nissanka remained composed and began striking his bat.
Only to be dismissed in the final over. After only five balls of the UAE’s reply, Dushmantha Chameera had already shaken them to the core by clean bowling Muhammad Waseem and Aryan Lakra.
The UAE could not counter Sri Lanka’s pace assault, and they quickly fell behind, going from a comfortable lead to 21-4 in the sixth over before being wholly swept aside. Despite finishing with 3-15, Chameera limped off the field late in the game, causing concern for Sri Lanka.
