Sri Lanka won for the first time ICC World Twenty20 crown dashing the hope of treble winning former champions India beating them by six wickets in the final at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on Sunday.
Chasing an easy total of 131 runs, the islanders Sri Lanka reached their ultimate goal scoring the match-winning 134 runs for 4 in just 17.5 overs forcing India to concede their first defeat in the ongoing World T20.
With the day’s feat, Sri Lanka not only smiled finally at the coffin of India but also overcame their failures in the finals of four ICC global events — two in the World T20 in 2009 and 2012 and the other two in the ICC World Cup in 2007 and 2011.
Celebrated batsman Kumar Sangakkara, who failed to deliver up to the expectations of his fans due to poor show in the ongoing meet, finally proved his worth displaying his match-winning and an unconquered 52 runs off just 35 balls hitting six fours and one six and was adjudged man of the final..
Indian famed batsman Virat Kohli was named as the player of the tournament for his outstanding batting performance scoring 319 runs in the meet.
Apart from Sangakkara’s half century in the final, Mahela Jayawardene (24), Thisara Perera (not out 23), Tilakaratne Dilshan (18), Lahiru Thirimanne (7) and Kusal Perera (5) were the other contributors for Sri Lanka.
Mohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, R Ashwin and Amit Mishra took one wicket each for 18, 24, 29 and 32 runs respectively.
Earlier, riding on a 77-run innings by Virat Kohli, India scored a modest total of 130 for 4 in allocated 20 overs against their sub-continental rival Sri Lanka in the final of the ICC World Twenty20.
The match was delayed for 40-minute due to wet outfield following afternoon rain soon after ICC World Women’s T2o final which Australia won to make a hat-trick of titles.
Going to bat first, high playing India made a frustrating start losing their opener Ajinkya Rahane cheaply for just four runs in the very 2nd over (1.3 overs) as Rahane was bowled by Anjelo Mathews scoring an expensive eight-ball three runs.
But another opener Rohit Sharma pairing with one down consistent performer Virat Kohli overcame the early debacle contributing 60 runs in nine overs in the 2nd wicket stand before Rohit Sharma back to the dressing room at 64 for 2 in 10.3 overs.
Rohit Sharma’s innings came to end as he gave a straight low catch to Sachithra Senanayake at short cover to be the first victim of veteran Rangana Herath scoring 26-ball 29 runs with three boundaries.
One down Virat Kohli and number four Yuvraj Singh again made another good .partnership in the 3rd wicket stand scoring 55 runs to carry the Indian total to 119 runs for 3 in18.1 overs.
Yubraj Singh was caught by Thisara Perera off a Nuwan Kulasekara ball making 21-ball 11 runs while Virat Kohli hammered 77 runs off 58 balls featuring five fours and four sixes before he was fell victim of run out by Senanayake while went for 2nd run in the last ball of innings.
Skipper MS Dhoni, who is looking for treble in the ICC global event this time, remained unbeaten on four runs off seven balls.
Rangana Herath, Anjelo Mathews and Nuwan Kulasekara grabbed one wicket each conceding 23, 25 and 29 runs respectively.
Source: UNBConnect
