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Match Report:

Scorecard

Boilover in World Cup opener as Namibia upset SL

After slumping to 6-93 batting first in Geelong, Namibia clawed their way back in a stunning result to kick off the T20 World Cup

World Cup minnows Namibia have opened the T20 tournament with a stunning 55-run upset win against Sri Lanka in Geelong.

The Namibians silenced the passionate, pro-Sri Lankan crowd with an outstanding all-round performance on Sunday at Kardinia Park.

After Jan Frylinck and JJ Smit's seventh-wicket heroics batted them back into the match, Namibia defended their 7-163 with great bowling and fielding to dismiss Sri Lanka for 108 from 19 overs.

It puts Namibia in the box seat to progress through the qualifiers and reach the Super 12 stage of the tournament, while Sri Lanka must now beat UAE and the Netherlands in their group.

Image Id: B07C5B9A0F1B4161806D8D684C064DE4 Image Caption: Player of the Match Jan Frylinck was one of four Namibia bowlers to finish with two wickets // Getty

As disciplined as Namibia were, Sri Lanka were sloppy just a month after winning the Asia Cup.

Dasun Shanka’s side won the toss and looked in control, especially when off-spinner Maheesh Theekshana had David Wiese caught behind for a golden duck.

That left Namibia in major strife at 6-93 from 14.2 overs.

But Frylinck and Smit then turned the match with a big-hitting stand of 70 from 34 balls.

Image Id: C188C2DC78224220BF192C5FDD02AEDE Image Caption: JJ Smit hammered 31 not out off just 16 balls to propel Namibia to 7-163 // Getty

Frylinck was run out on the last delivery of the innings and top-scored with 44 from 28 balls, while Smit hit two sixes and two fours in his unbeaten 31 from 16 deliveries.

Namibia's rally rolled into the start of the Sri Lankan innings, with 22-year-old fast bowler Ben Shikongo on a hat-trick in the third over.

He dismissed opener Pathum Nissanka and then Danushka Gunathilaka in his double-wicket maiden over to have Sri Lanka reeling at 3-21.

Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Shanaka put on 34 for the fifth wicket, before Bernard Scholtz dismissed Rajapaksa for 20 to deepen their woes at 5-74 off 10.3.

When Frylinck dismissed Shanaka six runs later for a top score of 29, Sri Lanka were 6-80 and there was no coming back.

Frylinck, Shikongo, Wiese and Scholtz took two wickets apiece.

Sri Lanka's poor day started badly when promising young left-arm paceman Dilshan Madushanka was ruled out of the tournament.

The 22-year-old has a torn quad muscle and Binura Fernando, who did not play on Sunday, has taken his place in their Cup squad.