Karthik Meiyappan’s hat trick on Tuesday electrified the Twenty20 World Cup. But it didn’t matter since Sri Lanka got back on track when the UAE was dismissed for only 73 runs. Despite Meiyappan’s hat trick, Sri Lanka defeated the UAE in the T20 World Cup.
Namibia defeated the Asian champions by 55 runs in the tournament’s opening game on Sunday. It left them no space for error in their encounter with the UAE. They responded by winning by 79 runs, which was a significant margin.
Sri Lanka was performing well at 117-2 in the 15th over. Then, spin bowler, Meiyappan struck, dismissing Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Charith Asalanka, and captain Dasun Shanaka all at once. Despite Meiyappan’s hat trick, Sri Lanka defeated the UAE in the T20 World Cup.
T20 World Cup | UAE loses against Sri Lanka despite Meiyappan’s hat-trick
Only five persons have ever scored in a T20 World Cup game. Pathum Nissanka hit a determined 74, and despite Meiyappan’s 3-19, Shanaka’s squad scored 152-8. This makes the net run rate in the final three Group A games on Thursday crucial, as it might determine who advances to the Super 12 stage.
The 2014 champions, Sri Lanka, face the Netherlands in their next game, while Namibia faces the UAE, which has never won a game. Sri Lanka batted first and got off to a solid start, reaching 42 when Kusal Mendis, 18, was caught leg before wicket by Aryan Lakra. Sri Lankan supporters celebrated as Dhananjaya de Silva joined Nissanka.
Nissanka and Dhananjaya de Silva then smashed massive sixes. A young runout terminated their 50-run partnership, which was unfortunate. Nissanka hit a hard drive, and De Silva sprinted after it, but his teammate never returned. Meiyappan defeated Rajapaksa, Asalanka, and Shanaka. At the same time, Nissanka hit a cover shot for his sixth T20 fifty. Only three runs were made, and they lost four wickets.
Aayan Afzal Khan caught Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva after only four balls. Nissanka remained calm as things became tense on one side and began striking his bat. Only to be kicked out in the final round. Dushmantha Chameera clean bowled Muhammad Waseem and Aryan Lakra in the UAE’s first five balls of their reply. The UAE was terrified.
The UAE couldn’t keep up with Sri Lanka’s aggressive offensive and immediately fell behind. They had a comfortable lead, but by the sixth over, they were down to 21-4 and were utterly swept away. Despite finishing the game with 3-15, Chameera limped off the field late in the game, which worried Sri Lanka.