Sri Lanka started their T20 World Cup 2021 campaign with a solid win against Namibia by 7 wickets.

The day started well for Sri Lanka as the bowlers found early success after winning the toss and opting to bowl first.

Spinners Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga claimed five wickets between them to help Sri Lanka dismiss debutants Namibia for 96 runs.

Theekshana led Sri Lanka’s bowling attack with the figures of 3-25 while he was ably supported by Hasaranga’s leg-spin.

Craig Williams with his 29, skipper Gerhard Erasmus, 20, and JJ Smit, unbeaten on 12, were the only three batsmen to manage double figures.

In return, Sri Lanka got off to a rocky start and lost three early wickets of Pathum Nissanka (5), Kusal Perera (11), and Dinesh Chandimal (5) inside the powerplay.

However, Avishka Fernando and Bhanuka Rajapaksa put up a good partnership to stop Namibia’s pressure.

The middle-order pair scored unbeaten 30 and 42 respectively and lead Sri Lanka to victory.