For all latest articles, follow on Google NewsSri Lanka secures their spot in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 with an impressive victory over Zimbabwe. Their dominant performance guarantees them a place in the tournament.
Sri Lanka exhibited flawless skills on the field, cruising to a resounding nine-wicket triumph over Zimbabwe. This outstanding win propels them to the top of the Super Six table and ensures their position among the top two teams at the end of this stage, securing their qualification for the World Cup in India later this year.
Throughout the tournament, Sri Lanka has not allowed any opponent to score more than 200 runs in an innings, showcasing their exceptional bowling prowess and defensive capabilities.
As Pathum Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne took to the crease, it seemed as though they were batting on an entirely different pitch, facing little difficulty. The only real chance for Zimbabwe came when Karunaratne flicked a delivery off Richard Ngarava toward mid-wicket, but Zimbabwe skipper Craig Ervine failed to hold onto the catch. Apart from that, the left-right opening combination flourished in Bulawayo.
Nissanka showcased an aggressive approach, smashing eight boundaries on his way to a well-deserved half-century. This marked his third fifty of the Qualifier. The duo’s partnership helped Sri Lanka cross the 100-run mark in the 19th over. Although Ngarava dismissed Karunaratne, it was too little and too late for Zimbabwe as Sri Lanka surpassed their total in the 34th over.
Nissanka’s remarkable innings also saw him reach his second ODI hundred, further cementing his status as a rising star.
Earlier in the match, the lively Sunday crowd was silenced as Zimbabwe lost their top-order wickets during the powerplay overs, with Dilshan Madushanka taking three crucial scalps. Sri Lanka’s biggest achievement came when they dismissed Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine, who edged a delivery behind the stumps in the seventh over.
Sri Lanka could have also dismissed the dangerous Sean Williams off Madushanka’s bowling in the ninth over, but a straightforward chance at fine leg was dropped by Matheesha Pathirana, granting Williams a lifeline.
Williams and Sikandar Raza absorbed the pressure and accelerated the scoring rate. Raza, in particular, played a series of exquisite shots after a cautious start, and by the 18th over, the Zimbabwe team was comfortably scoring at a rate of five runs per over.
Dasun Shanaka provided Sri Lanka with a breakthrough by dismissing Raza in the 20th over. However, Zimbabwe fought back fiercely, with incoming batsmen Ryan Burl and Williams unleashing a barrage of powerful strokes in the following overs. Williams reached his fifty during this period, marking his fifth score of fifty or more in the tournament.
Unfortunately for Williams, his luck ran out in the 23rd over when he was bowled by Maheesh Theekshana for 56 runs. The off-spinner then dismissed Burl in the 25th over, further solidifying Sri Lanka’s position of dominance.
The Sri Lankan bowlers maintained relentless pressure, consistently aiming for wickets. Zimbabwe’s tailenders could only add 35 runs from the midpoint of the innings onward, struggling against Sri Lanka’s formidable attack.
Winning the toss, Dasun Shanaka elected to field first, emphasizing the team’s strategy to capitalize on the first 10 overs. The standout performers with the ball for Sri Lanka were Madushanka (3/15), Pathirana (2/18), and Theekshana (4/25).
Injury sidelined Lahiru Kumara from the tournament, but his absence was filled by Matheesha Pathirana in the starting lineup. Craig Ervine introduced Brad Evans into the team as a replacement for Tendai Chatara.
