Lankans thumped by the Indians in the semi-final
A swashbuckling unfinished opening stand of 175 by India dashed Sri Lanka Visually Handicapped cricketers’ dream of playing in the 4th World Cup T20 finals when they faced to a 10wkt defeat in the first semi-finals of the Blind World Cup T20 at the Lal Bhadur Shastri Stadium in Hyderabad, India.
Batting first the Lankan faced an early set-back when their ever reliable openers failed to give the start they gave in the preliminary round matches when Pathum Saman Kumara (B1) was dismissed for 10 with the scoreboard reading only 31. A fighting third wicket partnership of 90 runs by opener Suranga Sampath B3 (49 including five boundaries) and Chandana Deshapriya B1 (42 with four fours) was the only highlight in the Sri Lankan innings. Once the Indian bowlers broke the threatening partnership the Lankans lost wickets in regular intervals and were dismissed for 174 in 19.2 overs.
The strong Sri Lankan batting line who were never dismissed in the preliminary round matches had two opening partnerships of over 300 runs looked unsettled except for Suranga Sampath and Chandana Deshapriya, both making a brave effort in pulling the side out of trouble.
Of the Indian bowlers Ranbir Panwar (B3) and Sunil (B3) were the most successful bowlers to capture 2 for 29 and 2 for 21 respectively received good support from paceman Ajay Kumar Reddy B2 (1 for 18) and Golu Kumar B1 (1 for 45).
Chasing the victory target the Indian openers were never troubled by the Lankan bowlers who were punished from the first ball by the Indian batsmen with Prakash J (B3) scoring a century and remained unbeaten with 115 coming off in 52 deliveries while sending the ball to the ropes on 23 occasions. Ajay Kumar Reddy (B2) kept his end going with an unbeaten 51 off 30 balls. His inning included eight fours as the Indians made a plain sail to the 2017 World Cup T20 finals with a 10 wickets win.
India will meet the winners of the 2nd semi-final between Pakistan and England in the Final to be played at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore to day.
Chief Scores
Sri Lanka 174 (19.2) (Suranga Sampath 49, Chandana Deshapriya 42, Chandana Suriyarachchi 16, Ajay Kumar Reddy 1 for 18, Ranbir Panwar 2 for 29, Sunil 2 for 21, Golu Kumar 1 for 45)
India 175 for no loss (12.6) (J. Prakash 115 n.o., Ajay Kumar Reddy 51 n.o.)