Sri Lanka secured a remarkable victory over the Netherlands, winning by five wickets in the 19th match of the ICC World Cup 2023 at Ekana Cricket Stadium Lucknow on Saturday.
Before this match, Sri Lanka had endured a string of three consecutive defeats, making them the sole winless team in the 10-nation tournament.
Chasing a target of 263 runs, Sri Lanka reached the target in 48.2 overs, losing only five wickets along the way.
Sadeera Samarawickrama emerged as the top scorer, contributing 91 runs off 107 balls, including seven boundaries. Pathum Nissanka added 54 runs in 52 balls, while Charith Asalanka chipped in with 44 runs.
Sri Lanka found themselves in a precarious position, losing two wickets for just 52 runs. However, Nissanka and Samarawickrama formed a crucial partnership, adding 52 runs in 40 balls for the third wicket. After Nissanka's departure, Samarawickrama and Asalanka put together an impressive 77-run partnership in 99 balls, steering Sri Lanka toward victory during the chase.
In the first inning, Sybrand Engelbrecht and Logan van Beek both scored their maiden one-day international fifties, rescuing the Netherlands from a challenging start to post 262 runs against Sri Lanka.
Engelbrecht, aged 35, reached fifty in 65 balls, including three fours and a six. This match marked the Dutch team's return to action following their surprising victory against South Africa.
Van Beek achieved his fifty in 68 balls, relying on just one boundary. The South African-born Engelbrecht and New Zealand native Van Beek formed a critical partnership for the Netherlands, contributing 130 runs for the seventh wicket.
Their partnership came to an end when Dilshan Madushanka, a left-arm seamer, clean-bowled Engelbrecht for 70, with the score at 221. Van Beek was later dismissed for 59, becoming recalled fast bowler Kasun Rajitha's fourth victim.
Madushanka finished with figures of 4-49, while Rajitha had 4-50.
Notably, Sri Lanka conceded 33 extras with 26 wides, a concerning issue for their team.
The Netherlands, after winning the toss and opting to bat, faced early challenges as Rajitha dismissed Vikramjit Singh (four), Max O'Dowd (16), and Colin Ackermann (29), leaving them at 54-3.
Madushanka picked up Bas de Leede (six) and Teja Nidamanuru (nine), while spinner Maheesh Theekshana secured the crucial wicket of skipper Colin Edwards (16).
The Dutch team struggled to find boundaries for 20 overs before Engelbrecht and Van Beek initiated their rescue mission.
