SL vs AFG: "If We Get A Couple Of Wins, We're Still In With A Chance Of Qualifying" - Sri Lanka Skipper Dasun Shanaka Feels They Can Make Into T20 World Cup Semi-final

Sri Lanka lost to New Zealand by 65 runs in the Super 12 match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday, October 29.

The Dasun Shanka-led side failed to negotiate with strike bowlers Trent Boult and Tim Southee in a chase of 168 runs and were bowled out for 102 runs in 19.2 overs.

Sri Lanka are currently fifth in the Group 1 points table with one win from three games and a net run rate of -0.890. They will need big wins from their remaining matches against Afghanistan and England this week to qualify for the semis.

In the post-match press conference, Dasun Shanaka said that his team can still qualify if they can play their best cricket in the rest of the Super 12 stages.

Sri Lanka had dominated New Zealand with their spin attack in the first 10 overs, restricting the Kiwis to 29/4 in the seventh over. Glenn Phillips scored 104 runs off 64 balls, including 10 fours and four sixes, as New Zealand posted 167 runs.

Glenn Phillips Played An Outstanding Knock – Dasun Shanaka

“I think we started really well, particularly in the first 10 overs. But credit to Glenn Phillips, who played an outstanding knock,” Shanaka said after the match.

Glenn Phillips’s two catches were dropped in the match, the first when he was on 12 Pathum Nissanka dropped a perfect dolly at long-off, and six overs later, Shanaka dropped a catch while batting on 45. The skipper blamed fielding and batting for the defeat but remained optimistic about their semi-final berth.

“We also dropped a few catches. 160 is always a tough ask with their bowling attack, but also Boult and Southee bowled really well up front. There’s a way to chase big totals, and in the first couple of overs you have to give yourself a chance. We never got settled in the wicket. If we get a couple of wins, we’re still in with a chance of qualifying, so just looking forward to that,” Shanaka concluded.

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