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Namibia's JJ Smit (right) and teammates celebrate the wicket of Sri Lanka's Chamika Karunaratne during the Australia 2022 Twenty20 World Cup cricket match at Kardinia Park in Geelong. Namibia, ranked 14th in the world, shocked Asia Cup champions Sri Lanka to win by 55 runs. Image Credit: AFP

Geelong: Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup campaign suffered a disastrous start today as the former champions crashed to a 55-run loss against plucky Namibia in Geelong.

Arriving as surprise Asian Cup champions, Sri Lanka had hoped to make an early statement against the African associate side in front of thousands of expectant supporters on a sun-bathed afternoon at Kardinia Park.

Super 12s

Instead, it was Namibia soaking up their finest international win a year after storming into the Super 12’s at the last World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

Bowled out for 108 after chasing 164 for victory, the 2014 champions Sri Lanka can afford no slip-ups in their following qualifying matches against United Arab Emirates on Tuesday and the Netherlands on Thursday.