Sri Lanka’s triumph in the 1996 Cricket World Cup stands as one of the most remarkable underdog stories in sports history. Entering the tournament as outsiders, Sri Lanka delivered a true masterclass that redefined modern one-day international (ODI) cricket. If you get the 1xBet app download you will also be able to bet on the Sri Lankan national side from your smartphone too.
Co-hosting the tournament with India and Pakistan, Sri Lanka began their campaign controversially when Australia and the West Indies refused to play in Colombo due to security concerns. This handed Sri Lanka 2 walkover wins. But from then on, they let their cricket do the talking. It is very simple to download the 1xBet app, and with it, you will be able to start betting on the World Cup in no time.
Their aggressive and innovative batting approach, led by the explosive pair of Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana, revolutionized the use of fielding restrictions in the first 15 overs. The duo tore apart bowling attacks, often scoring 50+ in the first few overs, setting the tone early.
Skipper Arjuna Ranatunga was the heartbeat of the side, combining tactical brilliance with calm leadership. His strategy of using pinch-hitters at the top, coupled with a deep batting order, gave Sri Lanka unmatched flexibility. The middle order, anchored by Aravinda de Silva, provided consistency and class. De Silva, in particular, had a dream tournament, with his crowning moment coming in the final.
Making cricket history
In the group stage, Sri Lanka remained unbeaten. The pre-match betting options on 1xBet also allows punters to bet on whether a team will remain unbeaten too.
The 3 rivals they defeated were:
- Zimbabwe;
- India;
- and Kenya.
Their win against India in Delhi was particularly significant, chasing 271, they cruised to victory, showing composure and fearlessness.
In the semifinal against India at Eden Gardens, Sri Lanka faced early trouble but recovered thanks to de Silva and Roshan Mahanama. India collapsed under pressure, and the match was awarded to Sri Lanka after crowd trouble halted play, a testament to the psychological dominance Sri Lanka exerted.
The final at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium saw them face the mighty Australians. Australia posted a competitive 241, but Sri Lanka, led by a 107* from Aravinda de Silva and supported by Ranatunga, chased it down with ease. De Silva also took 3 key wickets, making it one of the greatest all-round performances in World Cup history. Members of 1xBet will see that the pre-match betting options on cricket are plentiful, and they also allow punters to wager on the performances of great players too.
