Sri Lanka crush UAE by 175 runs in World Cup Qualifier

COLOMBO (News 1st); The 1996 World Cup champions Sri Lanka secured a comprehensive 175 run win over the UAE in their first match of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier..

Half centuries by Sri Lanka's top four batsmen powered the 1996 World Cup Champions to a dominating score of 355 for the loss of six wickets in the 3rd Match of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier.

Pathum Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne put on a 95-run first wicket stand, which ended with Karunaratne falling for 52. 

Nissanka partnered with Kusal Mendis to score 57, and Medis partnered with Sadeera Samarawickrama to become the top scorer for Sri Lanka with 78.

Samarawickrama smashed 73, while Charith Asalanka and Wanindu Hasaranga crushed the UAE bowling attack in the latter stages to cruise past 350.

Ali Naseer picked up 2 wickets for 44 runs for UAE, while Rohan Mustafa, Aayan Afzal Khan, and Basil Hameed picked up a wicket each.

The UAE got off to a solid start with a 36-run stand between Muhammad Waseem and Rohan Mustafa.

Howver, the Sri Lankan bowling attack proved to be too strong as the UAE lost wickets at regular intervals.

The UAE were eventually bowled out for 180 runs in 39 overs.

Wanindu Hasaranga picked up his Maiden ODI five-for and 50 career ODI wickets thanks to his brilliant bowling that bagged him 6 wickets for just 24 runs.