Sri Lanka out of race for 2023 World Cup direct qualification after losing ODI series 2-0 vs New Zealand

Sri Lanka on Friday lost the second ODI against New Zealand by six wickets in Hamilton to crash out of the race for direct qualification for the upcoming ICC ODI World Cup 2023 in India. With the win, hosts New Zealand clinched the ODI series 2-0.

Notably, the top eight teams in the ICC Cricket World Cup (CWC) Super League table will qualify directly for the 2023 World Cup which is scheduled to be held in India in October-November. Sri Lanka after playing their 24 matches have finished ninth on the table.

They lost as many as 14 matches, won 7 and three matches ended without a result. New Zealand, India, England, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Australia and Afghanistan are the seven teams who have already secured their spot in this year's mega event.

After the ouster of Sri Lanka from the direct qualification race, West Indies, South Africa and Ireland are the three teams looking to clinch a ticket for direct entry in the 10-team ICC World Cup 2023.

New Zealand win the ODI series 2-0!#NZvSL pic.twitter.com/OLBmDCsPC4

— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) March 31, 2023

South Africa will qualify if they play their two ODI matches against Netherlands on Friday and Sunday and then hope Ireland to lose one of their three ODIs against Bangladesh at home in May. IPL-bound South Africa players have not yet arrived in India for the all-important two ODIs against Netherlands.

Sri Lanka will be playing an ODI World Qualifier for the first time in 44 years. A 10-team competition will be held from June 18 in Zimbabwe and the top two teams will take the final two spots in the ICC World Cup 2023.

Which 10 teams will compete in the Qualifier (for final two spots)?

Bottom five teams of the CWC Super League: The Netherlands, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka and either two of West Indies, South Africa, and Ireland

Top three teams from Cricket World Cup Qualifier from League 2: Scotland, Nepal and Oman (These three teams have already booked a spot in the Qualifier)

Top two Qualifier Play-Off teams: Top two teams in the Play-Off tournament between Jersey, Canada, USA, Papua New Guinea, UAE, Namibia