West Indies eliminated after crashing to Sri Lanka

Shimron Hetmyer slammed a career-best unbeaten half-century but was only one of two players in double figures, as West Indies crashed out of the Twenty20 World Cup with a 20-run defeat to Sri Lanka in the United Arab Emirates on Thursday.

Needing to win the contest at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in order to have any chance of reaching the final four, West Indies failed to overhaul a challenging target of 190 and slumped to their third defeat in four matches.

Their final fixture against Australia on Saturday is now of academic interest only.

Hetmyer top-scored with 81 not out off 54 deliveries and got support from vice-captain Nicholas Pooran with 46 off 34 balls but the run chase lacked enterprise from the start.

Both openers Chris Gayle (1) and Evin Lewis (8) fell cheaply to leave West Indies struggling on 10 for two at the end of the second over before Pooran, who punched half-dozen fours and a six, put on 37 for the third wicket with Roston Chase (9) and 30 for the fourth with Hetmyer, in an attempt to revive the innings.

Once Pooran holed out to long off at the start of the 12th over, West Indies lost a cluster of wickets with five going down for 54 runs, to leave the reigning champions out to sea at 131 for eight at the end of the 17th over.

Hetmyer, who belted eight fours and four sixes, tried desperately to keep the run chase going, dominating an unbroken 38-run, ninth wicket stand with Akeal Hosein but his efforts proved in vain.

Sent in earlier, Sri Lanka stormed to an impressive 189 for three off their 20 overs, with Charith Asalanka top-scoring with 68 off 41 balls opener Pathum Nissanka gathering 51 off 41 deliveries.

Nissanka, who struck five fours, posted 42 for the first wicket with Kusal Perera (29) and a further 91 for the second wicket with Asalanka – a stand which give Sri Lanka control of the game.

Asalanka lashed eight four and a six, further punishing West Indies in a 46-run, third wicket partnership with captain Dasun Shanaka who made a 14-ball, unbeaten 25.

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