CWC 2023, Match Number 19, Sri Lanka Vs Netherlands played at BRSABV, Ekana Cricket Ground, Lucknow, India on 21 October 2023
Netherlands 262 All Out in 49.4 Overs (Sybrand Engelbrecht 70, Logan Van Beek 59, Dilshan Madushanka 4/49, Kasun Rajitha 4/50) 
Sri Lanka 263/5 in 48.2 Overs (Sadeera Samarawickrama 91, Pithun Nishanka 54, Charith Asalanka 44, Dhananjaya di Silva 30, Aryan Dutt 3/44, Paul van Meekren 1/39, Colin Ackerman 1/39) 
Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets with 10 balls to spare
Player of the match: Sadeera Samarawickrama (109 Runs) 

Asian Lions after losing their first three matches finally could open their account subduing Netherlands going down fighting by 5 wickets. Credit must also go to the ICC associate Netherlands which impressed all by their brave fearless style of play. 

Bating first at Lucknow after their major upset in the previous match against strong South Africa Netherland was reduced to 91/6 by the 21.2 overs. Many teams would have from that position as Lankan Lions were at hunting spree at that stage. But brave Dutch fought back. Sybrand Engelbrecht (70) and Logan van Beek (59) producing 130 milestone setting   7th wicket partnership led Netherlands setting up a competitive score of 262 all rounds. Dutch bowlers and fielders then made Lankans toil and sweat for every ran. Sri Lanka required 48.4 overs to get across the Dutch set target losing 5 wickets. Congratulations Sri Lanka but well-done Netherlands. 

Wickets kept tumbling as Netherland started batting. Lankan pacers bowled at the right channel and moved. Netherland innings was at tatters at 91/6. There were few thoughts that Netherland innings would be wrapped up and the match will finish early. But world cricket witnessed a wonderful fight back by the Dutch late middle order. Back to the wall Sybrand Engelbrecht (70 in 82 balls) and Logan van Beek (59) playing every ball to its merit brought their team in the match. Their 130 runs 7th wicket partnership set a record in world cup cricket. 262 that Netherland scored appeared a highly competitive score in the given condition. 

Sri Lankan chase against highly charged Dutch bowling and fielding at some stages looked derailed. Spirited Dutch made Sri Lanka toil for every run. But Lankans kept their cool. Sadeera Samarawickrama (91 in 107 balls), Pithun Nishanka (54) , Charith Asalanka (44) and Dhananjaya di Silva ( 30) were major contributors in the Lankan win. It took them 48.2 overs to get across the target. Netherland proved yet again that their qualification from the ICC associate group into the big league was well and truly justified. Cricket in the land of tulip will get a big boost. It was also good to see that the Lankans are back in winning trail. 

BDST: 0908 HRS, OCT 22, 2023
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