ICC ODI World Cup Qualifiers 2023 Super Six Match 4: Sri Lanka beat Zimbabwe to qualify for World Cup 2023

 

Sri Lanka registered a thumping win over hosts Zimbabwe in a one-sided match played at Bulawayo Sports Club, Bulawayo on 2 July 2023.

Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka won the toss and decided to field first. Dilshan Madushanka ripped the top order dismissing Joylord Gumbie in the very first over. He then dismissed Wesley Medherve cheaply. Craig Ervine showed intent with some lovely boundaries before Madushanka got rid of him to leave Zimbabwe struggling big time. At the end of first 10 overs, Zimbabwe scored 40 for 3.

Sean Williams and Sikandar Raza steadied the ship for Zimbabwe putting bad deliveries away for boundaries keeping scoreboard ticking. Sri Lankan captain Shanaka got the much-needed breakthrough dismissing Raza providing easy catch to Madushanka. Williams and Raza added 68 runs for the 4th wicket. Williams looked steady completing fifty off 49 deliveries. Theekshana produced stunning delivery to dismiss Williams. Theekshana looked impressive as they did not allow the Zimbabwe batters score runs easily. Sri Lanka picked up the last three wickets giving away just 1 run to bowl out hosts for just 165.

Chasing 166 runs to win, Pathum Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne started the innings brightly not allowing Zimbabwe bowlers to settle. Both Sri Lanka openers kept scoreboard ticking and looked in complete control. At the end of the first 10 overs, they ended at 47 for 0.

After the field restrictions, Nissanka and Dimuth showed his class to keep momentum going for Sri Lanka. Nissanka completed its half-century off 49 deliveries. Karaunate was eventually dismissed by Ngarava caught by Evans. Nissanka and Karaunate put 103 runs for opening wicket.

Nissanka continued his merry way and scored at an easy pace along with Kusal Mendis. Nissanka looked at ease completing century off 102 deliveries. It was one way traffic as Nissanka and Kusal Mendis ensured that Sri Lanka chase down the target easily. Nissanka and Kusal Mendis added an unbeaten 66 runs for the 2nd wicket. Sri Lanka won match by 9 wickets with 16.5 overs to spare.

Sri Lanka 169 for 1 in 33.1 overs (Nissanka 101*, Ngarava 1/35) beat Zimbabwe 165 in 32.2 overs (Sean Williams 56, Mahesh Theekshana 4/25, Dilshan Madushanka 3/15) by 9 wickets.

For his figures of 4 for 25, Mahesh Theekshana was named the player of the match award. With this win, Sri Lanka qualified for the 2023 World Cup to be played in India.

 







Sri Lanka qualify for World Cup 2023 


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