Rain halts Sri Lanka's charge against Windies

Mirpur (Bangladesh), April 3 (IANS/CMC) Rain played spoilsport interrupting the first semi-final of the ICC World Twenty20 when Sri Lanka were comfortably placed against defending champions West Indies at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium here Thursday.

Chasing a target of 161, the West Indies were struggling at 80 for four in 13.5 overs with Marlon Samuels (18 not out) and skipper Darren Sammy at the crease when heavy rain interrupted the game, reports CMC.

Dwayne Smith gave the West Indies a good start with a 14-ball 17 while Dwayne Bravo blasted his way to a 19-ball 30.

Sri Lankan skipper Lasith Malinga picked up two wickets in a superb first spell that read 2-0-5-2.

Earlier asked to field first, the Caribbean side held the Sri Lankans to 160 for six off 20 overs. Lahiru Thirimanne top scored with 44 from 35 deliveries while Angelo Matthews slammed 40 from 23 balls, to give Sri Lanka momentum late in the innings.

Opener Tillakaratne Dilshan struck a run-a-ball 39 while his partner Kusal Perera scored 26 from 12 balls, to give Sri Lanka a flying start of 41 for one after just four overs.

However, off-spinner Sunil Narine, whose four overs cost just 19 runs, slowed the scoring with another miserly spell. Leg-spinner Samuel Badree, with one for 23 from his four overs, and off-spinner Marlon Samuels, whose four overs also went for 23 runs, helped restrict Sri Lanka.

They were struggling at 128 for five at the end of the 18th over but the last two overs went for 32 runs as both seamers Krishmar Santokie and Andre Russell leaked runs. Santokie finished with one for 46.

--IANS/CMC

abr/dg