Australia registered their second victory of the Super 12 stage in as many games by defeating Sri Lanka by 7 wickets in Dubai on Thursday.
Chasing 155, Aaron Finch got going with a couple of hits to the fence in the first over, bowled by Chamika Karunaratne, before David Warner reverse swept Maheesh Theekshana for his first boundary.
The duo then tore into Lahiru Kumara, taking 20 runs off the pacer before the Aussie captain whacked Chameera for a six and a four. Warner finished the powerplay at 63/0 with another four off Theekshana.
Hasaranga provided Sri Lanka with their first breakthrough dismissing Finch and then accounted for Glenn Maxwell’s wicket as well. Warner and Steve Smith, in their 50-run stand, though, didn’t let their command on the chase get loose by rotating the strike and striking the occasional.
Warner also raised his fifty and announced his return to form before finding long-off having made 65 runs and put Australia on the brink of a victory. Marcus Stoinis and Smith took Australia over the line with 3 overs to spare.
After being put in to bat first, Sri Lanka lost Pathum Nissanka early on to Pat Cummins. But then Charith Asalanka, continuing his brilliant form from the last game, went after Cummins with a couple of boundaries, before hammering a six and a four to Glenn Maxwell. A boundary each for Asalanka and Kusal Perera capped off Sri Lanka’s powerplay at 53/1.
After a couple of quiet overs, Perera stoked two fours to Marcus Stoinis before Adam Zampa gave Australia a breakthrough in the form of Asalanka. Perera smoked Mitchell Starc for a big one but the fast bowler castled the batter on the next ball with a pinpoint yorker.
Zampa struck again with Avishka Fernando before Starc had Hasaranga edging to the wicket-keeper as Sri Lanka slipped to 94/5.
With the run rate slipping down, Bhanuka Rajapaksa took upon the mantle to take his side to a challenging total. After taking a boundary off Hazlewood, he went after Stoinis, thumping the medium-pacer for a pair of fours and a big one over the rope.
Captain Dasun Shanaka fell to Cummins’ change of pace. 19 runs were scored off the last two overs as Rajapaksa (33* off 26) managed to take his side over 150.
witter Reacts As Australia Make Two In Two With A 7-Wicket Win Over Sri Lanka
The Aussies are starting to look strong .. Can’t wait for Saturdays game .. #T20WorldCup
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) October 28, 2021
Australia make a strong statement. Fought back brilliantly with the ball through Starc and Zampa to stymie Sri Lanka's charge. Davey Warner then fashioned an easy victory with a bruising half-century. #AUSvSL #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/WaEqFEBHw4
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) October 28, 2021
Finch has found his form back as he sees an opportunity to get into a new IPL franchise?
— Rohit Yadav (@cricrohit) October 28, 2021
That was Australia men's 75th T20I victory; that was Sri Lanka men's 75th T20I loss.
"It was the best of times; it was the blurst of times."#T20WorldCup
— Mark Puttick (@GryllidaeC) October 28, 2021
When Warner returns to form, Australia look a different side..not to forget the unbeaten 28 off 26 from Steve Smith..will serve the team well in the future#Warner #AUSvSL #Australia #SriLanka #T20WorldCup
— Baidurjo Bhose (@bbhose) October 28, 2021
Two in two for Australia ✌️
#T20WorldCup | #AUSvSL | https://t.co/dkIIjDEJLc pic.twitter.com/Xv8KlB4f0I— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) October 28, 2021
Australia hitting form at the right time…in a World tournament. Ominous signs. #AUSvSL
— Jigar Mehta (@jigsactin) October 28, 2021
Two games, two wins. Australia are well on course to qualify for the semis. #T20WorldCup
— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) October 28, 2021
Australia hugely impressive in winning by 7 wickets, showing all round excellence to improve Net Run Rate too, with Warner’s return to form as bonus! Sri Lanka tried to play freely, without coming under pressure. Not misplaced as strategy, but execution of intent was poor
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) October 28, 2021
Player of the Match: Adam Zampa #AUSvSL #T20WorldCup2021
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) October 28, 2021
Just Mitchell Starc Things in ICC WCs pic.twitter.com/0afQ3dXgmf
— SG ? (@SPlDEYSG) October 28, 2021
Adam Zampa very kindly saying he was just glad to contribute today and SL have good players of spin.
Not true at all if you look at the stats,
But appreciate the lies Zamps.
— Andrew Fidel Fernando (@afidelf) October 28, 2021
Familiar middle over word with the bat hurting is today #T20WorldCup #Slvaus But well done Australia .. aggressive and positive . Congratulations!!
— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) October 28, 2021
Warner and Zampa the big pluses for Australia. Warner's form is critical for Australia's progress at the #ICCT20WorldCup . And Zampa for me is the player of the match today.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 28, 2021
Australia and England making it to the semi finals from Group-1. #T20WorldCup
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 28, 2021