Zimbabwe: With a victory over Zimbabwe in the CWC 2023 Qualifier currently taking place in Zimbabwe, former champions Sri Lanka have sealed their place in the ICC men's ODI Cricket World Cup 2023. The next World Cup 2023 will be held in India later this year, and Sri Lanka will represent Qualifier 2 in that tournament.
The rematch of the 2011 World Cup final between India and Sri Lanka is currently set for November 2 at the same Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, featuring Rohit Sharma and Team India. Under MS Dhoni's leadership, India won the 2011 World Cup for the second time in ODIs by defeating the opposition by a margin of six wickets.
While teams like Scotland and the Netherlands are still in the running, the second World Cup qualifier is about to be decided, with Zimbabwe appearing to be the the leader to win that berth. By easily defeating Zimbabwe in their Super Six match on Sunday, Sri Lanka guaranteed their participation at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in 2023.
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Pathum Nissanka's century helped Dasun Shanaka's team win by nine wickets after Chennai Super Kings (CSK) off-spinner Maheesh Theekshana got four for 25 to bowl out Zimbabwe for 165 in 33 overs.
After Sri Lanka gave Zimbabwe the opportunity to bat, Zimbabwe struggled in Bulawayo, losing Joylord Gumbie for a five-ball duck before Wessly Madhevere left for one and the Chevrons were left on eight for two. The dangerous Sikandar Raza was summoned to the crease to join Sean Williams after Dilshan Madushanka got his third wicket of the morning to eliminate skipper Craig Ervine.
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Before Madushanka took a wonderful low catch to knock the all-rounder for 31 from 51 balls and halt the 68-run partnership, Raza displayed the patience the circumstances demanded. Williams made 56 before he was bowled by Theekshana, who later worked with Matheesha Pathirana (2/18) to clean off the tail, but he was unable to add to his back-to-back century.
“It's a big achievement but still we know what we have done in the past in World Cups especially, we won the 1996 World Cup and were the 2011 runners-ups. We have been playing amazing cricket in the World Cup so it's a much-needed thing for Sri Lanka to be up here in that big stage. Yes, there is pressure here but still the pressure begins on the big stage. So I think that World Cup ahead is the main focus and main target for us, we are waiting to deliver there as well,” Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka said about qualifying for the World Cup 2023.
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