Unlike the disappointing efficiency of two-time ODI World Cup winners West Indies on Saturday night on the Harare Sports Club, fellow former champions Sri Lanka continued their spectacular and undefeated streak in the continuing Qualifiers occasion. They secured their spot in the 2023 ODI World Cup in India, which is ready to start on October 5.
Winning the toss earlier in the day, Dilshan Madushanka and Mahesh Theekshana took management of the sport at completely different levels, in the end dismissing Zimbabwe for a mere 165 runs. With such a low goal, Sri Lanka had little hassle in their pursuit, with the openers forming a century partnership and Pathum Nissanka main the cost with an unbeaten century. They comfortably achieved victory with 9 wickets remaining, finishing the chase in simply 33.1 overs.
Madushanka was the standout performer with the brand new ball for Sri Lanka, proving captain Dasun Shanaka’s choice to bowl first to be a smart one. He took three wickets in his opening spell, earlier than Zimbabwe’s fourth-wicket pair of Sean Williams and Sikandar Raza supplied some resistance. Williams even reached his half-century throughout their 68-run partnership. However, Shanaka broke the partnership, and Theekshana wreaked havoc in the center and decrease order, taking 4 wickets for simply 25 runs.
As the primary workforce from the ODI World Cup Qualifiers occasion to safe their place in the extremely anticipated event in India, the 1996 winners Sri Lanka have set the bar excessive. Zimbabwe’s destiny now rests on the result of their last Super Six sport towards Scotland subsequent week.
“Coming into Qualifiers is at all times robust. But nonetheless for those who undergo the method, with the workforce we have got right here, we all know we’re going to qualify. Credit to different groups, a few of the groups gave us some good battle in between however nonetheless we’re the higher facet,” Shanaka mentioned in the post-match presentation.
Sri Lanka has another sport remaining in the Super Six towards West Indies, scheduled for July 7.Â
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