Sri Lanka trounce Netherlands to win CWC23 Qualifier Final

Sri Lanka maintained their unbeaten run to beat Netherlands by 128 runs in the CWC23 Qualifier Final in Harare yesterday.
After winning the toss, Sri Lanka had a solid platform in challenging conditions, courtesy of a decent opening stand between Pathum Nissanka and Sadeera Samarawickrama, who looked comfortable before Vikramjit Singh was brought into the attack. After inciting a drive from Samarawickrama (19), Croes took a brilliant catch at short extra cover.. 

The medium pace of Singh again did the trick as Nissanka (23) flicked one straight to fine leg, with Aryan Dutt taking a sensational catch. 
Kusal Mendis and Sahan Arachchige then started a rebuild job for Sri Lanka, while upping the scoring rate slowly and surely. The pair looked good to lay a good platform for the Lankans, as the stand reached the 72-run mark.

Saqib Zulfiqar would then strike against the run of play as Mendis missed a sweep and was trapped lbw for 43. 
Arachchige, joined by Charith Asalanka on the crease, would establish another vital partnership for Sri Lanka, but could not turn it into a big one. The pair had a stand of 64 before Zulfiqar struck again to dismiss Arachchige (57). This wicket brought about a collapse for the Lankans, as the Netherlands would spring into life. In the same Zulfiqar over, Asalanka lost his wicket to a close run out for 36. The next over would bring the wicket of Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka, as a simple catch by Vikramjit off the bowling of Logan van Beek sent him packing for 1. 
Dhananjaya de Silva (4) was the next to follow suit against Ryan Klein, as a fruitful spell for the Netherlands fetched them four wickets in four overs, leaving Sri Lanka reeling. 
The tail, along with Wanindu Hasaranga (29), tried their best to ensure that Sri Lanka added as many runs as possible.
Maheesh Theekshana (13) and Matheesha Pathirana were the other batters to be dismissed as a brilliant Dutch performance ensured that Sri Lanka were bowled out for 233 in 47.5 overs. 
In reply, Netherlands were rocked by Sri Lanka early on, losing a flurry of wickets in the opening 10 overs.
Dilshan Madushanka started the proceedings, with Vikramjit playing a soft shot to be dismissed for 13. Madushanka would then dismiss Wesley Baressi for a duck, with his middle stump going flying. The leading wicket-taker of the tournament, Hasaranga, then got in on the act, trapping Teja Nidamanuru (0), before Madushanka would trap Noah Croes (7). 
Netherlands would lose their fifth inside the first 10 overs as skipper Scott Edwards (1) was run out. The procession continued, with Zulfiqar falling prey to the brilliance of Hasaranga. 
(ICC)