Since the tournament’s inception in 1998 (known as the ICC Knockout Trophy back then), Sri Lanka has featured in 22 games, managing 13 wins and 8 losses. Apart from this, on the only occasion that Sri Lanka made it to the big final (2002), rain played spoilsport to squash the island nation’s hopes. From a near perfect chase at the R. Premadasa to a heart breaking loss in Cardiff, here are some of the most memorable fixtures Sri Lanka have featured in at the Champions Trophy.
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan – 12 September 2002 – R Premadasa Stadium
Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets (with 83 balls remaining)
Grouped alongside the Netherlands, it was a make or break game for both Sri Lanka and Pakistan, with the winner likely to top the group and subsequently progress through to the semi-final stage of the tournament.
After choosing to bat on a slow Premadasa track, the Pakistanis were in trouble very early on but Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq played a familiar role in the middle order to resurrect the visitors’ innings alongside top scorer Saeed Anwar who made 52 as they were bowled out for 200 in 49.4 overs.
With 30,000 screaming local fans packed into the Premadasa, Man of the Match Sanath Jayasuriya got his tournament off to the perfect start, smashing a composed century as Sri Lanka reached the target with nearly 14 overs to spare. Although 2 wickets in consecutive overs early on in the innings threatened to derail Sri Lanka’s chase, Jayasuriya, alongside stalwart Aravinda De Silva put on an epic unbroken 3rd wicket stand of 156 to all but secure Sri Lanka’s place in the semi-finals.
Sri Lanka vs Australia – 27 September 2002 – R Premadasa Stadium
Sri Lanka won by 7 wickets (with 60 balls remaining)
Despite it being a star-studded Australian line-up, with home advantage being in Sri Lanka’s favour, the hosts were definitely the favourites to go through to the big final, where they were to meet ‘big brother’ India, who had already qualified, courtesy a nervy win against South Africa.
Australia, led by Ricky Ponting, chose to bat after winning the toss and openers Mathew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist blasted their way to 49 in 7 overs. However, Aravinda De Silva made the breakthrough and Sri Lanka proceeded to claim 4 wickets for just 8 runs in 5 overs to stall Australia’s charge. The visitors never recovered and ended up making just 162 in 48.4 overs, their lowest total against the Lankans in ODIs, with Shane Warne (36) top scoring.
Sri Lanka’s main strategy was undoubtedly spin and it paid rich dividends as Murali continued his good form to claim 3/26 while Kumar Dharmasena, Aravinda De Silva and Sanath Jayasuriya chipped in with 4 wickets between them.
The Australians were sloppy in the field and although Sri Lanka were measured in their approach, they managed to claim the win with 10 overs and 7 wickets in hand. The top three, Jayasuriya, Atapattu and Sangakkara, sealed the deal for Sri Lanka making 42, 51 and 48 respectively.
South Africa v Sri Lanka – 22 September 2009 – SuperSport Park, Centurion
Sri Lanka won by 55 runs (D/L method)
Coming into the game, South Africa were ranked no.1 in the word while Sri Lanka were battling to stay within the top 5. A home crowd and familiar conditions may have seemed like a distinct advantage but did not prove to be of much value as the visitors, led by a blazing TM Dilshan ton, set the stage for yet another Protea meltdown.
Sri Lanka’s batting triumvirate of Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara and TM Dilshan led the way with the bat as the hosts conceded 319 – Wayne Parnell bore the brunt of Dilshan’s attack, going for 79 off his 10 overs while picking up 3 wickets. Dale Steyn was the pick of the bowlers registering figures of 3/47.
Graeme Smith and Jacques threatened briefly to guide the Proteas home but a rampant Ajantha Mendis at his prime removed both as the required run-rate rose above 7. At 113/4 in the 21st over, the required rate continued to climb and despite cameos by Mark Boucher, Albie Morkel and Johan Botha when the rains came down the hosts were well behind the eight ball and Sri Lanka were handed a deserved victory.
New Zealand v Sri Lanka – 9 June 2013 – Sophia Gardens, Cardiff
New Zealand won by 1 wicket (with 81 balls remaining)
After dismissing Sri Lanka for a meager 138 it looked like it would be a walk in the park for the Kiwis. The track was flat, the sun was out, there was little to no movement available and true to expectations, New Zealand were cruising on 48/1 in the 9th over. However Lasith ‘Slinger’ Malinga had other plans. Sri Lanka’s spearhead broke the partnership between Kane Williamson and Martin Guptill and the Kiwis went from 48/1 to 49/4 within a few overs. The game was leaning heavily in Sri Lanka’s direction when the Kiwis slipped further to 80/6. However, Malinga was taken out of the attack and a game changing 35 run partnership between the McCullum brothers Brendon and Nathan swung the pendulum back towards New Zealand. Malinga got rid of both but New Zealand somehow clung on to register a one wicket win.
England v Sri Lanka – 13 June 2013 – Sri Lanka won by 7 wickets (with 17 balls remaining)
Sri Lanka won by 7 wickets (with 17 balls remaining)
Half centuries by Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott and Joe Root along with a 33 run blitz by Ravi Bopara helped hosts England post 293 in their allotted overs. Having posted just 138 in their previous game against the Kiwis, 293 looked a tall order for a team short on runs and confidence playing in alien conditions. England clearly had the upper hand going into the 2nd innings and soon had Kusal Janith Perera back in the hut. Kumar Sangakkara put on 92 alongside TM Dilshan and then 85 with Mahela Jayawardene to put Sri Lanka well on course at 187/3 in 35 overs. At the fall of the 3rd wicket, to the surprise of many, the Sri Lankan management decided to send in Nuwan Kulasekara and a few overs after his entrance the ‘pinch hitter’ seemed not to be doing any hitting.
Despite this, Sangakkara soaked up all the pressure and once Kulasekara got going, the Englishmen had no answer to stem the flow of runs. Kulasekara bludgeoned 58 off 38 deliveries to complement Sangakkara’s masterful 134 as Sri Lanka coasted home with 7 wickets in hand and nearly 3 overs to spare.
, Sri Lanka has featured in 22 games, managing 13 wins and 8 losses.){kind=link}