T20 World Cup 2022, SL vs UAE: Chameera, Hasaranga star as Sri Lanka decimate UAE

Dushamantha Chameera took three wickets [Source: Twitter]

The sixth Group stage match of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup saw Sri Lanka steamroll the United Arab Emirates by 79 runs in Geelong. The Lankan lions boosted their net run rate significantly with this dominating victory. 

Nissanka's gritty knock powers Sri Lanka to a challenging total

After being invited to bat first, Sri Lanka got off to a flying start, with Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka adding 42 runs in 4.4 overs for the opening wicket. After Mendis fell prey to Aryan Lakra, Nissanka and Dhananjaya de Silva kept the scoreboard ticking at a brisk pace. 

However, a collapse was triggered by Karthik Meiyappan after De Silva's departure. The leg spinner dismantled the Lankan middle order by registering a memorable hat-trick, dismissing Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Charith Asalanka and Dasun Shanaka in the last three deliveries of the fifteenth over. Wanindu Hasaranga, too, made his way back to the dugout in the very next over. 

But Nissanka didn't lose his concentration amidst this turmoil. On the contrary, the opener showed immense determination to add thirty vital runs with Chamika Karunaratne, taking Sri Lanka single-handedly past 150. Before being dismissed by Zahoor Khan in the final over, the stylish right-hander smashed six fours and two sixes for his 60-ball 74. 

Meiyappan was the pick of the bowlers for UAE, scalping three wickets for 19 runs. 

UAE fall flat as Chameera and Hasaranga run riot

Chasing 153 on Geelong's two-paced surface was going to be tricky for the UAE batting unit. To make matters worse, they dug their grave by continuously losing wickets. Star batters Muhammad Waseem and Aryan Lakra were cleaned up by Dushmantha Chameera, while Pramod Madushan castled Chirag Suri (14). 

UAE's ship sank further with the arrival of Wanindu Hasaranga, who weaved his magic to claim a spectacular three-for, conceding just eight runs in his four overs. Only three UAE batters could score in two-digit figures, as the gulf nation was finally bundled out for a paltry 73 in 17.1 overs. 

Chameera and Hasaranga scalped three wickets each, while Theekshana claimed two wickets. 

Brief Scores

Sri Lanka: 152/8 (20)
Pathum Nissanka 74 (60), Dhananjaya de Silva 33 (21);
Karthik Meiyappan 3/19 (4), Zahoor Khan 2/26 (4)

United Arab Emirates: 73 (17.1)
Afzal Khan 19 (21), Junaid Siddique 18 (16);
Wanindu Hasaranga 3/8 (4), Dushmantha Chameera 3/15 (3.5)

Sri Lanka won by 79 runs. 

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