WT20: SL beat WI, reach finals

Chasing Sri Lanka's 160 for six,  West Indies were struggling at 80 for four in 13.5 when rain disrupted the proceedings of the first semi finals of the World T20.

West Indies needed to score 108.

West Indies never looked in hunt for the final berth as the key batsmen were out without contributing much with their willows.

Dwayne Smith (17), Chris Gayle (3) and Lendl Simmons (4) were quick to return to the pavilion.

Dwayne Bravo top scored for West India with his 30, smashing three boundaries and a six off 19 balls.

Marlon Samuels (18*) and Darren Sammy (0*) were at the crease when rain started.  

Lasith Malinga picked up two wickets for Sri Lanka.

 Earlier, Sri Lanka posted 160 for six in 20 overs.

Opting for batting first after winning the toss, Sri Lankan openers- Kusal Perera  (26) and Tillakaratne Dilshan (39) raced to 41 runs fast.

Krishmar Santokie gave first blow to Sri Lanka by picking up the wicket of Perera in the fourth over.

Mahela Jayawardene (0) and Kumar Sangakkara (1), who will retire from T20 Internationals after the tournament, departed without disturbing the scorers much.

Dilshan got run out soon as Sri Lanka struggled at 91 for four in 13.3 overs.

Lahiru Thirimanne (44) and Angelo Mathews  (40) joined to put together 30 runs in the fifth wicket partnership and Mathews later added 39 runs in the sixth wicket partnership with Seekkuge Prasanna to help Sri Lanka put up 160 runs on the scoreboard.

Mathews scored a quickfire 40 off 23 balls which entertained the audience present at the stadium. He hammered three boundaries and two sixes in his innings.

Santokie took two wickets for the current champions.

Brief scorecard: 

Sri Lanka: 

160 for 6 in 20 overs (Thirimanne 44, Mathews 40, Dilshan 39; Santokie 2/46).

 West Indies:

80 for 4 in 13.5 overs (Dwayne Bravo 30, Marlon Samuels 18 no; Lasith Malinga 2/5).
 

Image: Wikimedia Commons