One has got to feel for this Sri Lanka side as they have struggled in the shortest format of the international game. West Indies have comprehensively defeated Sri Lanka by 7 wickets in their second game of the ICC World T20 2016.
West Indies have inched closer to book a place in the semi-finals of the ICC World T20 2016. Sri Lanka on the other hand, have a lot to worry about.
Darren Sammy had won the toss and asked Sri Lanka to bat first. This was a tricky wicket at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. West Indies bowlers bowled beautifully on this surface to thwart Sri Lanka to a meagre total of 122.
Samuel Badree, Suleiman Benn and Dwayne Bravo bowled extremely well. Especially Badree, as he was the pick of the bowlers for West Indies. In his spell of four overs, he conceded just 12 runs and picked up three wickets. His skills of bowling economically in the powerplay overs have really helped West Indies in their cause in this World T20 campaign.
Sri Lankan batsmen were struggling against the West Indian bowlers. No other batsman other than Thisara Perera could show some character. Perera top-scored with 40 runs. At the end, the Lankan Lions could only manage 122 for 9.
It was never going to be a tough rub chase for the Men in Maroon. Andre Fletcher and Johnson Charles opened the innings for them and got off to a very good start.
The crowd at the Chinnaswamy Stadium only chanted "We want Gayle, We want Gayle!" but as he did not field for long and went off the field because he pulled a hamstring, he did not get a chance to bat at his home ground for the IPL. The crowd was surely disappointed at the end.
Gayle's absence was made up by Fletcher, who remained unbeaten till the end. His 64-ball 83 powered West Indies to a commanding victory over a reeling Sri Lanka side.
West Indies had their moments of start on the field but one will agree that Sri Lanka were awful in the field. They dropped catches, leaked runs easily and that helped West Indies to score freely.
Sri Lanka will now have to play England and South Africa. Those two games will be a must-win for them if they will want to qualify for the semi-finals of the ICC World T20 2016.
West Indies on the other hand, can breathe easy as they have won two of their matches in this World T20 campaign.
Click here fo Sri Lanka vs West Indies ICC World T20 highlights.
