Sri Lanka win to set up crucial Netherlands clash

Karthik Meiyappan claimed a hat-trick for UAE but his side was well beaten thanks to Pathum Nissanka's half century

Geelong: Sri Lanka 152-8, UAE 73 - Sri Lanka win by 79 runs

Scorecard

Sri Lanka bounced back from their shock defeat against Namibia by crushing UAE, for whom young leg-spinner Karthik Meiyappan took a hat-trick.

It was a night to remember for the 22-year-old but one to forget for his teammates as Sri Lanka ran through the UAE batting line-up to set up a must-win game against the Netherlands for their Super 12s qualification hopes.

UAE were left 23 for 4 at the end of the powerplay, still requiring 130 more runs to win, after Dushmantha Chameera claimed three early wickets and conceded just four runs in his opening spell, collecting his 50th T20I scalp in the process.

Chameera was supported by tight bowling from Pramod Madushan, who bowled Chirag Suri in the sixth over. After that, UAE never looked like getting close to the target of 153 set by Sri Lanka.

Wanindu Hasaranga's variations picked up three wickets, conceding just eight runs from his four overs. He would have picked up a fourth had substitute fielder Jeffrey Vandersay not spilled a chance to remove Junaid Siddique and end the game.

^{Karthik Meiyappan took the fifth men's T20 World Cup hat-trick (William West/AFP via Getty Images)}

Although the drop was not costly, Siddique's extra life did provide some entertainment, as he smashed Chameera over the roof Kardinia Park roof for a 109-metre six in the 17th over. Sixteen-year-old Aayan Khan showed admirable resistance alongside him, scoring 19 from 21, but his team could only manage 73.

Earlier, Sri Lanka had Pathum Nissanka to thank; the opener made 74 from 60 balls and almost carried his bat after witnessing a middle-order collapse from the non-striker's end.

Needing a convincing win to improve their net run-rate, Sri Lanka looked set for a big total in Geelong. They were 84 for 1 after 10 overs with Nissanka and Dhananjaya de Silva going well. After de Silva was run out, breaking a 50-run partnership, Meiyappan produced a memorable over that helped limit the Sri Lankan total.

With the over's final three deliveries, he had Bhanuka Rajapaksa caught on the cover boundary, Charith Asalanka caught behind and, finally, captain Dasun Shanaka bowled by a perfect googly to pick up his first career hat-trick and make his mark in World Cup history, even in a heavy defeat.

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