After a long wait, the 20-20 World Cup finally got underway on Sunday as Sri Lanka and Namibia faced off against each other at Simons Stadium, Geelong. Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka won the toss and invited Namibia to bat first. The decision to bowl first was further vindicated by the Sri Lankan bowlers who struck early removing openers Michael van Lingen and Divan la Cock at the score of 16.
After losing the openers, wicketkeeper Loftie-Eaton came in and played some immaculate shots scoring one four and two sixes. However, his innings didn’t last long as he was dismissed for 20 off 12 balls giving Sri Lanka their third wicket.
Seeing their team in trouble, Stephan Baard and captain Gerard Erasmus got involved in a 41-run-stand for the fourth wicket. After the partnership ended, Namibia suffered another collapse as they got reduced to 93/6 after 14.2 overs. Jan Frylinck and JJ Smit took their team out of misery with a magnificent partnership of 70 off just 34 balls. Frylinck scored a scintillating 44 off 28 balls while Smit remained unbeaten on 31 off 16 balls.
Sri Lanka skittle for 108 in 19 overs
Courtesy of their partnership Namibia managed to reach a good total of 163/7 after 20 overs. Pramod Madushan was the pick of the bowlers from Sri Lanka who scalped two wickets for 37 runs in his four overs.
The Sri Lankan chase got off to a miserable start as they lost openers Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis with just 21 runs on the board. They further lost Danushka Gunathilaka on a golden duck at the same score. Sri Lanka were left reeling at 40/4 after losing the wicket of Dhananjaya de Silva.
Bhanuka Rajapaksa and captain Dasun Shanaka stitched a 34-run stand to stabilise the innings. The end of this partnership drew curtains on Sri Lanka’s hopes as they went from 74/4 to 108 all out. Namibia registered a comprehensive win by 55 runs. David Wiese, Bernard Scholtz, Ben Shikongo and Jan Frylinck all took two wickets each as Namibia got their World Cup campaign off to a winning start.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to Namibia’s emphatic victory:
What a Start To T20 World Cup!!Namibia Beats Asia Cup Champions By 55 Runs.
What a Way Annonce Yourself On Big Stage.#SLvsNAM— Maham Fatima (@Maham0fficial_2) October 16, 2022
Namibia beating #AsiaCup2022 winners easily in Australia showing early signs that sub continent recent form might not count for much at this @T20WorldCup #SLvsNAM
— John Wright (@johnwright15) October 16, 2022
Namibia you absolute beauty!! They've comprehensively beaten the Asia Cup champs, SL by 55 runs
What a start to #T20WorldCup2022
Magnificent performance from Namibia, absolutely magnificent!!#SLvsNAM pic.twitter.com/PF6WQp9nIj
— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) October 16, 2022
THIS IS BIG! 🔥
One of the biggest upsets of T20 World Cup history. Well done Namibia! 🏆
Emotional pictures coming from the Namibia camp. 🇳🇦#SLvsNAM #T20WorldCup2022 pic.twitter.com/ty27wYnylO
— Mr_feiz_17 (@Apka_Apna_JEEJU) October 16, 2022
Cricket is really a beautiful & unpredictable sport. Sri Lanka who recently won Asia Cup title by beating the mighty Indians & Pakistan, came to T20 World Cup & straightway lost to Namibia. Top effort by Namibia & we have seen 1st upset of this WC! #T20WorldCup #Namibia #SLvsNAM pic.twitter.com/w2IFIZa84M
— Ahmad Haseeb (@iamAhmadhaseeb) October 16, 2022
An upset implies it was luck or good fortune on the day.
It wasn't luck, it wasn't fortune, it was hard work that got Namibia this win
Batted well at the death, bowled well, and took their catches#T20WorldCup #SLvsNAM
— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) October 16, 2022
https://twitter.com/SAKII574/status/1581551301737197571?s=20&t=w0zUVukE_l1IL2HFqidUpg
Nothing new about Sri Lanka starting as underdogs and ending up in notable positions or upsetting big team.. Much more to come ahead #SLvsNAM
— sportoholic (@hydrsakeena007) October 16, 2022
Men's Asia cup winner losing against Namibia in the opening game
Looks like this tournament would be way interesting than the last one.#SrilankaCricket #T20WorldCup2022 #NAMvsl #SLvsNAM pic.twitter.com/K1xhI8sVKG— FARHAN HASHMI 🇵🇰 (@HASHMIHOONMEIN) October 16, 2022
Whatever happened is so sad bro, Namibia ? @daniel86cricket
Ordering 36 tissues for Daniel Alexander. By selling it, he can increase his economy 152 times.#SLvsNAM pic.twitter.com/DZeiYzOnkq
— Bharat Cricket 🏏 (@BhartArmy) October 16, 2022
