England has sailed through to the semifinals of the T20 World Cup 2022 with a nervy win over Sri Lanka in the last group stage match. That concludes things for Australia as they are out of the tournament.
Australia’s exist also continues the streak of the host nations not winning the Men’s T20I World Cup. Moreover, the defending title-holders also have not grabbed the trophy (West Indies have won two titles but did not win back to back).
Opting to bat first at Sydney Cricket Ground, Sri Lanka posted 141/8 after 20 overs. Despite scoring 80 runs from the first 10 overs, Lankans managed just 61 from the final 10 overs. Apart from Pathum Nissanka’s 65, no other batters did any special. Mark Wood picked up three wickets for England; however, Adil Rashid, with a figure of 4-0-16-1, was adjudged as player of the match.
England had a fiery start, with openers adding 75 runs before the departure of Jos Buttler for 28. Hales scored a decent 47, but it was Ben Stokes who batted steadily till last to take England home. England fumbled in the middle overs, losing wickets swiftly. Stokes scored an unbeaten 42 as the Three Lions chased the total with two balls spare, losing six wickets.
It will be a triple header on Sunday to fix the semifinalist from Group B. South Africa takes on the Netherlands follwoed by Pakistan vs Bangladesh and India vs Zimbabwe.
