‘Ab kya fayda’ – Fans react as Sri Lanka beat Netherlands to register their first win of ODI World Cup 2023

Sri Lanka finally registered the first win of their campaign in the ODI World Cup 2023. Against a spirited side like the Netherlands, Sri Lanka registered a 5-wicket win under tricky conditions to bat on in Lucknow. A target of 263 runs was not easy to chase on a slow wicket. But the good batting performance of Sri Lanka meant that they emerged victorious in the end.

The Netherlands won the toss and elected to bat first. But the decision of Scott Edwards was not proven right, as the batters of the Netherlands kept on losing wickets consistently. The top-order batters had negligible contribution on their part and were disappointed as usual. Kasun Rajitha was brilliant with the new ball and dismissed the top 3 batters of the Netherlands.

Dilshan Madushanka was the star of the show, he was both economical and wicket-taking. The left-arm pacer swung the ball and then bowled terrific bouncers and yorkers with the progression of the innings. The saving grace for the Netherlands was the seventh-wicket partnership between Engelbrecht and Logan Van Beek. The two batters got fifty for themselves and helped the Dutch to get past the mark of 260 runs.

Brilliant run chase from Sri Lanka

Chasing the target, Sri Lanka was reduced to 104/3 in the 17th over. The Dutch side threatened to take another game away from a good side. But the partnership between Sadeera Samarawickrama and Charith Asalanka ensured that Sri Lanka stayed in the game. Pathum Nissanka scored a quickfire fifty and gave a good start for Sri Lanka. It was Sadeera who shined with the bat.

With Asalanka, Samarawickrama was involved in a 77-run stand for the 4th wicket. Later with Dhananjaya De Silva, he was involved in a 76-run stand for the 5th wicket. In the end, the wicketkeeper batter saw Sri Lanka home with an unbeaten 91*(107). Aryan Dutt was impressive with the ball for the Netherlands. But other bowlers struggled and bowled a lot of extras. For his good batting performance, Samarawickrama won the Player of the Match award.

Here’s how the fans reacted to Sri Lanka’s win –

Netherlands literally dragged match to second last over even despite being 91/6 while batting first, congrats Sri Lanka and well played Netherlands 👏👏👏

— Thanos (@KingKohlifan438) October 21, 2023

Ned fought well

— Johnmuffa (@ictblood) October 21, 2023

Only match they will win in the WC 😂😂😂

— Pratik (@fake_engineer7) October 21, 2023

After long ages 😭

— Aasim Farooqui (@AsmFar07) October 21, 2023

Finally thoda maza ane wala hai.

— TalkHub (@neemeshp14) October 21, 2023

Daniel right now🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/jyrun81VH0

— Secular Chad (@SachabhartiyaRW) October 21, 2023

Ab ky fydaa

— Xi jingping (Parody) (@xipingaoc) October 21, 2023

At last they win the first match

— Qamar Zahoor (@qamarzahor) October 21, 2023

Sadeera is one of their best batsman apart from Mendis.

— Cricket Polls (@CricPollsdaily) October 21, 2023

Well Played Netherlands. You will be the top team in another 5 years. Congratulations Srilanka for the first win 🔥🔥

— Indian Stats & Index (@statsfeed_india) October 21, 2023