ICC World Twenty20, 1st semi-final: Sri Lanka vs West Indies - As it happened...

Live updates from the semi-final match between West Indies and Sri Lanka being played at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur.

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Zee Media Bureau SCORECARD» | COMMENTARY» | AS IT HAPPENED» ALSO READ: West Indies would be wary of Sri Lanka`s quality spin attack» West Indies vs Sri Lanka: Key players to watch out for» India banking on spinners for second title» ============================================================== Sri Lanka have won the rain-interrupted semi-final against West Indies by 27 runs on Duckworth-Lewis method. They will play the winner of second semi-final between India and South Africa in the final. =================================================== West Indies Innings Over 13.5 || Score 80/4 Rain and 'hailstorm' stopped play in Mirpur. Four balls earlier, veteran Mahela Jayawardene took a brilliant catch at deep square leg to send back dangerous Dwayne Bravo. Dwayne Bravo c Mahela Jayawardene b Nuwan Kulasekara 30 (19b) West Indies are 27 runs behind Sri Lanka on D/L method. In this situation, there will be no Gangnam Style gig tonight. =================================================== Over 13 || Score 76/3 Bravo is taking on the Lankans. The all-rounder has just milked Herath, who bamboozled New Zealand few days back, for a six over the mid-off boundary. Earlier in the over, Samuels found his first boundary off the first ball, coming down the pitch and driving through extra-cover. The previous over, bowled by Mathews, resulted only four runs as Samuels played out three dot balls. West Indies required another 85 from 42 balls. Some task at hand for the Carribeans. ============================================================== Over 11 || Score 61/3 Another 100 runs required to win the match for West Indies. In the last two overs, the batting side have added 17 runs to keep themselves in the hunt. Dwayne Bravo has faced 14 balls for his 21 runs, and has so far found the rope three times in this period. His companion in the centre, Samuels has nine runs from 17 balls. Some rebuilding for the team. ============================================================== Over 9 || Score 44/3 Another brilliant over. Rangana Herath conceded only four in second over. Remove those 17 runs from the opening over, West Indies have scored only 27 runs in the next eight overs. It's a big slump, unimaginable for any team hoping to play in successive tournament finals. With wickets and and dot balls from the bowlers, Sri Lankan fielders are complementing by throwing their bodies everywhere, saving runs, blocking boundaries. ============================================================== Over 7 || Score 40/3 Another wicket for the fielding team, this time by a spinner. A first ball wicket by Seekkuge Prasanna has put West Indies in big trouble. Lendl Simmons lbw b Seekkuge Prasanna 4 (8b) After Simmons' fall, Dwayne Bravo has arrived in the centre to join Samuels. Suddenly, this target started to look like a huge one. ============================================================== Over 6 || Score 30/2 With two runs from Kulasekara's second over, the power-play period ended for West Indies. They still need another 131 runs from the remaining 14 overs. For Sri Lanka, they rushed through the overs after Malinga's superb over. In his two overs, he gave away only five runs for those wickets. ============================================================== Over 5 || Score 28/2 Both the openers gone. Captain leading with examples for Sri Lankans. First Gayle played an indifferent shot to drag a churlish delivery. Three balls later, Smith failed to measure Malinga's express delivery, which castled the stumps. Now, with a double blow, Sri Lankans can target more wickets as two new batsmen, Marlon Samuels and Lendl Simmons start to start the chase afresh. Chris Gayle b Lasith Malinga 3 (13b) Dwayne Smith b Lasith Malinga 17 (14b) ============================================================== Over 4 || Score 25/0 Another good over from the Lankans. Senanayake conceded only three runs as Smith played out the last four balls for two runs. With two overs left in the power-play period, West Indies are certainly controlling the proceedings here. ============================================================== Over 3 || Score 22/0 Lasith Malinga introduced himself in the third over. The skipper has successfully kept Gayle quite with slower, varied deliveries. Only two runs conceded. Gayle has faced 10 deliveries for his two runs while his partner, Smith has 14 runs from eight deliveries. Strange role reversal. ============================================================== Over 2 || Score 20/0 Sachithra Senanayake on for Sri Lanka. The off-break bowler started with an excellent over, conceding only three runs. His third delivery almost got Gayle's wicket as the West Indian batsman tried to square up the ball for sweep. But it slept through. Tight one. West Indies required another 141 runs from 18 overs. ============================================================== Over 1 || Score 17/0 First ball, first boundary for West Indies as usually quite Dwayne Smith lofted the straight delivery – on the legs, for a four. And some sight as Lasith Malinga chased hard before crashing onto the ball. Smith followed it up with a huge six, this time, hoisting over mid-wicket. Some start to the innings. Nuwan Kulasekara completed his over with dot ball, played by Chris Gayle, who seemed to have picked up a niggle while fielding. A ball earlier, Kulasekara did enough to encourage his team-mates with a roaring lbw appeal. Besides the four and the six, there was a five too, from a wide. A big over, 17 runs. ============================================================== Sri Lanka Innings Over 20 || Score 160/6 The first half of the first semi-final ended with ever impressive Dwayne Bravo taking a breath-taking catch to dismiss Mathews at deep mid-wicket. After 120 balls, plus two wides, Sri Lanka have posted 160 at eight runs an over rate. Thanks to Mathew's explosive innings, Lankans have scored 52 runs in the last five overs. Angelo Mathews c Dwayne Bravo b Andre Russell 40 (23b) =================================================== Over 19 || Score 145/5 Angelo Mathews seemed to have done the trick for Sri Lanka. The penultimate over produced 17 runs as the hard-hitting batsman started the over with a six, four and another four in the first three balls. With one over left, Sri Lanka can certainly look for a 150+ score. It won't be a bad total after all with Malinga and spinners in their ranks. Santokie completed his four overs. Took two wickets and conceded 46 runs. =================================================== Over 18 || Score 128/5 A rare day for Sunil Narine to return without a wicket. The off-break bowler has completed his four overs. He conceded 20 runs, the lack of wickets compensating with economical spells. His final over leaked seven runs. =================================================== Over 17 || Score 121/5 Santokie got his second, as Thirimanne's innings came to an end. A slower delivery from the bowler ended up with a catch at point, where Simmons completed the sending off. Lahiru Thirimanne c Lendl Simmons b Krishmar Santokie 44 (35b) With that, Seekkuge Prasanna has arrived in the centre. =================================================== Over 16 || Score 112/4 After leaking 14 runs in the previous over, Narine somewhat controlled the damage with a five-run over. Nothing extraordinary happened in these six-ball period but the guile and craft Sunil displayed here looked awe-inspiring. While for Sri Lanka, Thirimanne continued building the innings and with only four left, somebody will need to take on the West Indians. =================================================== Over 15 || Score 107/4 After a brief interruption following a probable Gayle injury scare, the match got under way with Russell bowling his second over. And it's a huge one for the batting side. 14 runs from the over. Thirimmane, who was one of the stars in the recent Asia Cup … albeit in a different format, went overboard and played two exquisite shots off the third and the sixth ball of the over. The first one went for a four, in fact, thanks to a missed field from Samuels at third man. The second one resulted in a six, off a short delivery which sailed over the leg side boundary. And Sri Lanka crossed 100 run mark. =================================================== Over 14 || Score 93/4 Another run out compounded Sri Lanka's woes. A direct hit from Lendl Simmons sent back the opener, who was looking to play out the innings. Tillakaratne Dilshan run out 39 (39b) To replace Dilshan, ODI skipper Angelo Mathews has arrived in the centre. In between, Samuels also completed his four overs, without success for 23 runs. =================================================== Over 13 || Score 87/3 Sunil Narine returned for his second over and it meant some anxious moments for the batting side. However, both Dilshan and Thirimanne controlled their shots and played the over out safely. With three runs from this over, Narine has conceded eight runs from his two. ============================================================== Over 12 || Score 84/3 A good over for Sri Lanka as Thirimanne seemed to have found his rhythm. Samuels, who was keeping both the batsmen quite for some time, was lofted for a six by Samuels – over deep mid-wicket. With four singles, the over yielded 10 runs. ============================================================== Over 11 || Score 74/3 Thirimanne found his first boundary, after playing quite for 13 balls, as the first ball of the 11th over from Gayle proved enticing enough to go for shot. His partner, Dilshan has played 30 balls for 31 runs. A controlled innings. ============================================================== Over 10 || Score 65/3 Another huge over for the bowling side. Only three runs conceded by Samuels. It's learnt that he has been economical all though-out the tournament, keeping it just about 6.5 an over. And he certainly bat well too. Some player to have for any team. ============================================================== Over 9 || Score 62/3 Another bowling change saw Andre Russell bowling his right-arm fast deliveries against the circumspect batsmen. However, Dilshan, the main-stay for the Lankans today, picked the first delivery towards fine-leg area for a welcome four. The over yielded good eight runs for the batting side after that horrendous period. ============================================================== Over 8 || Score 54/3 West Indies skipper, Sammy introduced Marlon Samuels and the off-break bowler got into the task immediately. The over leaked only four runs with Dilshan and Thirimanne alternately taking a single each, twice. And suddenly the run-rate has dropped, under 7 an over. ============================================================== Over 7 || Score 50/3 What a wicket for Badree. He removed Sangakkara, probably playing in his final T20 match. Badree tossed up the delivery and the 'experienced' Sangakkara failed to control his shot, resulting in a return catch for the bowler. Kumar Sangakkara c & b Samuel Badree 1 (6b) After the beating in his first two overs, Badree completed his quota of four overs for an impressive 23 for 1. In between, Sri Lanka have reached fifty with a single off the final ball of the over, by newly arrived Lahiru Thirimanne. ============================================================== Over 6 || Score 48/2 Then arrived Sunil Narine. In his first over, the wizard gave away only five runs to further slowed down the Sri Lankan run-rate. In the centre, Dilshan has got company in Kumar Sangakkara. The experienced duo would be required to put some sterling batting performance to post a defend-able total against West Indies. ============================================================== Over 5 || Score 43/2 What a way to get out. Mahela Jayawardene run out without facing a single delivery. Mahela Jayawardene run out 0 (0) Two wickets in two successive overs have compromised the brilliant start Sri Lanka have gained. Thanks to that prized wicket of Jayawardene, Badree conceded only two runs in his penultimate over. ============================================================== Over 4 || Score 41/1 Despite the beating, Darren Sammy persisted with Santokie for the fourth over. And it bore fruits as the 20-year-old left-arm seamer castled Perera for a cleaner. The left-handed batsman, who just took a six out of the West Indian bowler two balls earlier was undone by variation. Kusal Perera b Krishmar Santokie 26 (12b) And the defending champions are back in the match. ============================================================== Over 3 || Score 32/0 First six of the match. Dilshan came down the pitch and hoisted the first ball from Badree's second over, over long off boundary. A big six. The super six was followed by a dot and three singles, before Perera pocketed one in the stands for himself. He picked the flighted delivery well and played with disdain, lifting it straight... for the second six of the over and match. ============================================================== Over 2 || Score 17/0 Krishmar Santokie shared the new ball with Badree for West Indies. But Perera, who has played some inspiring innings in this tournament, picked the slower ball – off the very first delivery, and played towards the mid-wicket for a double. Then the Sri Lankan opener flicked the second delivery for a four. It followed up with another couple of good length ball. The third ball of the over yielded a four as Perera played a dangerous shot, lifting it over midwicket fielder. Then two dots... but still a big over for the Lankans with 12 runs coming of it. ============================================================== Over 1 || Score 5/0 Samuel Badree opened the bowling as Kusal Perara took a single off the first delivery with a gentle push towards mid-off. But as expected, the third ball saw a difficult chance dropped at mid-off as Tillakaratne Dilshan hammered one, coming down the pitch. And it went for a four. Then, Badree replied strongly with two dot balls. ============================================================== English umpire Richard Kettleborough and Australian Rod Tucker will officiate the match while, Tucker's compatriot Bruce Oxenford is the third umpire. Another Aussie, David Boon is today's match referee. Here are the teams: West Indies have opted to field the same 11 which beat Pakistan in their last match. Sri Lanka have brought in all-rounder Seekkuge Prasanna for Thisara Parera. Sri Lanka: Kusal Perera, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Angelo Mathews, Lahiru Thirimanne, Seekkuge Prasanna, Nuwan Kulasekara, Sachithra Senanayake, Rangana Herath, Lasith Malinga (capt) West Indies: Dwayne Smith, Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Bravo, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Darren Sammy (capt), Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Samuel Badree, Krishmar Santokie Toss: Sri Lanka's stand-in skipper, Lasith Malinga won the toss and will bat first. =================================================== When Sri Lanka hit the field for the semi-final of the ICC World T20 2014, memories of the 2012 T20 World CUP final would be there on their minds. After dominating that match for the most part, the Lankans were left stunned by an incredible counter-attack from Marlon Samuels, who hit several sixes during the death overs and took the match away from the Lankans. But they would want to make a fresh start in the first semi-final of the ICC World T20 2014. While the spinners have mostly come to their rescue in the series, the major concern for the Sri Lankan think tank would be the form of their key batsmen. Players like Dilshan, Mahela and especially Sangakkara would have to deliver together if Sri Lanka entertain any chances of making it to the final. Lasith Malinga now has extra responsibility on his shoulders, after their regular T20 skipper Dinesh Chandimal opted out of the semi-final due to poor form. The onus would once again be on the spinners, and while Mendis and Senanayeke are their frontline spinners, all eyes would be on Rangana Herath after his stupendous show against the Kiwis in their last match, where he claimed an astonishing figure of 5 for 3 in 3.3 overs. West Indies, on the other hand, are now looking a force to reckon with. They lost their first match against India, but bounced back strongly and won the next against Bangladesh. But it was their performance in the last two matches of the group stage, which has now made them once again the favourites to win the tournament. In the bowling department, Samuel Badree and Sunil Narine have done an excellent job with the ball and they have made the job of the batsmen easier with some fine spells.