At the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023, Sri Lanka faced their toughest test to yet | SL vs NED CWC 2023 Qualifiers

Pathum Nissanka was sent on his way for a duck by Logan van Beek, giving the Netherlands a clear indication of their intentions from the very first ball of their match against Sri Lanka.

That was a crucial component of the Dutch team's dream start, which saw them immediately reduce the Sri Lankans to 34 for four as Van Beek (3/26) displayed his bowling prowess four days after his heroics against the West Indies.
Even Dhananjaya de Silva's stunning innings, which was necessary to get Sri Lanka to 213 all out, did not appear to be sufficient.

Maheesh Theekshana (3/31) turned the tide with three fast wickets, but the Netherlands ultimately fell 21 runs short just as they appeared to be on track in their reply.

Their start had been excellent. After only one ball, Nissanka left the game, and in the fourth over, Ryan Klein successfully trapped Kusal Mendis (10) in front.

Dhananjaya was inserted into the crease by Van Beek after Sadeera Samarawickrama and Charith Asalanka were added.

Dimuth Karunaratne, with whom he started to rebuild, dropped for 33, followed by skipper Dasun Shanaka's departure for five, and both men were covered by Saqib Zulfiqar (2/48).

Prior to both of them being bowled out inside the space of three deliveries, the pair contributed 77 runs to push Sri Lanka above 200.

Despite being on a difficult wicket for the hitters, the Dutch were able to attain their target of 214.

Both of their openers went down for ducks, with Lahiru Kumara removing Vikramjit Singh and Dilshan Madushanka substituting for Max O'Dowd, which did not help their situation.

Wesley Barresi (52) and De Leede (41) put together a 77-run combination, however, to restart the chase. Barresi fell short of his ground when attempting to steal a single, and it was terminated by some quick field work by Shanaka.

After being bowled by Hasaranga, Teja Nidamanuru became the third Dutch hitter to go for a duck. Scott Edwards entered the field, and the skipper and De Leede quickly got comfortable together, adding 36 runs in six overs.

Sri Lanka needed a breakthrough badly, and Theekshana provided it by sneaking one past De Leede's barriers.

After taking crucial wickets of Van Beek and Shariz Ahmed in his subsequent over, he added two more, leaving the Netherlands on 151 for eight.

The requisite rate wasn't an issue as Edwards and Ryan Klein contributed 25, but a flawless wrong'un from Hasaranga was too excellent for Klein (5).

When Aryan Dutt was clean bowled by Shanaka, the final partnership had 38 to get in 17 overs. The in-form Edwards helped them get there, but the skipper was left stranded unbeaten on 67.

Scores in brief:
Sri Lanka 213 all out in 47.4 overs (Dhananjaya de Silva 93, Dimuth Karunaratne 33; Logan van Beek 3/26, Bas de Leede 3/42)
Netherlands 192 in 40 overs (Scott Edwards 67 not out, Wesley Barresi 52; Maheesh Theekshana 3/31, Wanindu Hasaranga 2/53)