World Twenty20

Sri Lanka to face Pakistan in World Twenty20 final

London, June 20: A destructive unbeaten 96 from Tillakaratne Dilshan and a sensational three-wicket first over by Angelo Matthews destroyed the West Indies and carried Sri Lanka to the World Twenty20 final with a 57-run victory at The Oval here Friday.

For the second time in the World Twenty20, two sub-continent teams will be playing in the final, as Sri Lanka will clash with Pakistan, who were runners up in 2007.

Put into bat first, a blistering 96 not out from 57 balls by Man of the Match Dilshan helped Sri Lanka post a challenging 158 for five in 20 overs.

Medium pacer Angelo Matthews gave Sri Lanka a surprise start by picking up three wickets in the first over while mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis (2/9) and the veteran Muttiah Muralitharan (3/29) wrecked the West Indies and packed them up for 101 runs in 17.4 overs.

Pakistan opt to bat against South Africa

Nottingham, June 18 Pakistan captain Younis Khan won the toss and elected to bat against South Africa in the first semifinal of the World Twenty20 championship at Trent Bridge here Thursday.

--IANS

Sri Lanka set New Zealand 159-run target

Nottingham, June 16 Sri Lanka scored 158 for five against New Zealand in a World Twenty20 Group F Super Eights match here Tuesday.

Brief scores: Sri Lanka 158/5 in 20 overs (Tillakaratne Dilshan 48, Mahela Jayawerdene not out 41, Kumar Sangakkara 35; Daniel Vettori 2-32).

--IANS

Sri Lanka opt to bat against New Zealand

Nottingham, June 16 Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara won the toss and opted to bat against New Zealand in a Group F match of the Super Eight stage of the World Twenty20 at the Trent Bridge here Tuesday.

--IANS

Pakistan beat Ireland by 39 runs

London, June 15 Pakistan beat Ireland by 39 runs in a World Twenty20 Group F Super Eights match here Monday.

Brief scores: Pakistan 159/5 in 20 overs (Kamran Akmal 57, Kyle McCallan 2-26). Ireland 120/9 in 20 overs (William Poterfield 40, Saeed Ajmal 4-19).

--IANS

Srinath blames Dhoni for India's exit from World T20

London, June 15 Former India fast bowler Javagal Srinath blamed skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni's poor handling of the media as the main reason behind the defending champions' early exit from the World Twenty20.

Srinath, who is an International Cricket Council (ICC) Match Refree, believes it was Dhoni's poor response to the media on his deputy Virender Sehwag's injury that unsettled his team.

Sehwag was included in the squad but did not play a single game because of a shoulder injury, prompting media speculation of a rift - something which clearly irked Dhoni.

"I think the row between Dhoni and the media was unnecessary and I hope Dhoni manages the fallout of the early exit better," Srinath was quoted as saying by The Daily Telegraph.

Pakistan set 160-run target for Ireland

London, June 15 Pakistan made 159 for five in 20 overs against Ireland in a Group F match of the Super Eight stage in the World Twenty20 at The Oval here Monday.

Brief scores: Pakistan 159/5 in 20 overs (Kamran Akmal 57, Shahid Afridi 24; Kyle McCallan 2/26). Ireland to bat.

--IANS

Scoreboard: Sri Lanka vs Ireland, Super Eight, Group F, World Twenty20

London, June 14 Scoreboard of the World Twenty20 Group F Super Eights match between Sri Lanka and Ireland at Lord's here Sunday.

Sri Lanka

Tillakaratne Dilshan c NJ O'Brien b Rankin 0 (2)

Sanath Jayasuriya lbw b McCallan 27 (27)

Kumar Sangakkara c NJ O'Brien b Johnston 3 (10)

Mahela Jayawardene b Cusack 78 (53)

Chamara Silva c Rankin b McCallan 4 (6)

Jehan Mubarak c NJ O'Brien b Cusack 7 (9)

Agnelo Mathews b Cusack 10 (7)

Mahela Kulasekara c Mooney b Rankin 1 (2)

Muttiah Muralitharan st NJ O'Brien b Cusack 0 (1)

Lasith Malinga not out 1 (2)

Ajantha Mendis not out 4 (1)

Extras (lb-5, w-4) 9

Total (for nine wickets in 20 overs) 144

India opt to bowl against England

London, June 14 Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and opted to bowl against England in a crucial World Twenty20 Group E Super Eights match at Lord's here Sunday.

--IANS

Sri Lanka beat Ireland by nine runs

London, June 14 Sri Lanka defeated Ireland by nine runs in a World Twenty20 Group F Super Eights match at Lord's here Sunday.

Brief scores: Sri Lanka 144/9 in 20 overs (Mahela Jayawardene 78, Sanath Jayasuriya 27; Alex Cusack 4-18, Boyd Rankin 2-27). Ireland 135/7 in 20 overs (William Porterfield 31, Niall O'Brien 31, John Mooney 31; Lasith Malinga 2-19, Ajantha Mendis 2-22).

--IANS

Sri Lanka set Ireland 145-run target

London, June 14 Sri Lanka scored 144 for nine in 20 overs against Ireland in a World Twenty20 Group F Super Eights match at Lord's here Sunday.

Brief scores: Sri Lanka 144/9 in 20 overs (Mahela Jayawardene 78, Sanath Jayasuriya 27; Alex Cusack 4-18, Boyd Rankin 2-27).

--IANS

Sri Lanka opt to bat against Ireland

London, June 14 Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara won the toss and opted to bat against Ireland in a Group F match in the Super Eight stage of the World Twenty20 at the Lord's here Sunday.

--IANS