Sri Lanka's hopes alive as India exit

A LATE onslaught from Angelo Mathews and Chamara Kapugedera helped Sri Lanka to a five-wicket victory over India which put them on the verge of a place in the semi-finals of the ICC World Twenty20 in St Lucia.

Sri Lanka, chasing 164, knew that they needed to score at least 144 to ensure their net run rate would keep them in with a chance of reaching the last four, and end India's hopes.

Their reply started shakily as Mahela Jayawardene and Sanath Jayasuriya departed cheaply but Mathews and Kapugedera steered them to within sight of victory, with the latter hitting a six off the last ball of the match.

Their innings got off to a disastrous start as openers Jayawardene and Jayasuriya departed to leave them six for two in the second over.

But Tillakaratne Dilshan (33) and Kumar Sangakkara (46) launched a spirited recovery effort. Dilshan was caught by Yuvraj Singh off Pathan's bowling with the score on 49 for three, but Mathews (46) helped keep the score ticking over.

Sangakkara was then bowled by Kumar, but Kapugedera (37 not out) stepped in as he and Mathews sealed the win.