SL VS NED | Twitter reacts as Sri Lanka breeze through chase against Dutch to secure first win in World Cup

The Netherlands faced a challenging start after opting to bat first, managing only 48 runs and losing two wickets in the first powerplay. Thereon, Kasun Rajitha and Dilshan Madushanka kept posing problems for the Dutch batsmen, triggering a collapse that left the Europeans reeling at 103/6 after 25 overs. However, Sybrand Engelbrecht (70) and Logan van Beek (59) adopted a more cautious and deliberate approach, their 130-run partnership entering the record books as the highest in World Cup history for seventh wicket or lower. It needed the strike-pace bowling duo to return to the attack to finally break the stand and close out the innings strongly for the Lions as both of them ended with four wickets. Nevertheless, the Netherlands managed to put together 87 runs in their last 10 overs before tumbling out for a total of 262.

Sri Lanka got their chase off to a solid start despite Aryan Dutt snaring two early wickets. Some lax bowling and tactics by the Dutch allowed Sadeera Samarawickrama and Pathum Nissanka to stabilize the innings, the latter achieving his 12th ODI half-century off just 48 balls in the process. Bas de Leede’s 16-run 15th over further helped their case as the Lions brought up the 100-run mark in the following over. Eventually, Paul van Meekeren put an end to the 52-run partnership by dismissing Nissanka but another steady stand of 77 followed between Charith Asalanka and Sadeera Samarawickrama that took the game out of the Dutch's hands. By the time Aryan Dutt bowled Asalanka for 44, it was too little too late and Samarawickrama eventually ended unbeaten on 91 to finish off things for the Lions to claim victory with 10 balls to spare. 

That's how you win games!

Brilliant win for SL here!

Team work!

NED tried their best!

Decent finish!

SL win it for their fans!

They bought it so close!

SamaraVEERA he is!

He played crucial role!