Sri Lanka qualify for ICC World Cup 2023 after thrashing Zimbabwe by nine wickets

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Sri Lanka became the first side from the ICC World Cup 2023 Qualifiers to advance to the main competition after defeating the hosts Zimbabwe by a margin of nine wickets at Bulawayo's Queens Sports Club on Sunday.

Electing to bowl first, Sri Lanka dismissed Zimbabwe for 165 runs in 32.2 overs thanks to Maheesh Theekshana's four wickets for 25 runs in 8.2 overs. Zimbabwe batted poorly, losing early wickets and finding it difficult to bounce back. Sikandar Raza chipped in with a 31-run knock, while Sean Williams scored 56 runs.

Sri Lanka did not face any problem whatsoever and gunned down the 166-run target in 33.1 overs. Opener Pathum Nissanka (101* off 102) scored an unbeaten hundred, while his partner Dimuth Karunaratne scored 30 off 56 balls. Kusan Mendis walked in at three and scored 25 unbeaten runs off 42 balls.

Sri Lanka have now won each of the four Super Sixes matches. They are assured of a berth in World Cup 2023 which is set to begin in India from October 5 even if they lose their last match against West Indies who crashed out on Saturday.

Zimbabwe who were unbeaten until this match, will have to beat Scotland on July 4 to confirm their ticket to India. Scotland, on the other hand, will have to win both their remaining matches or beat at least Zimbabwe with a decent margin to become the 10th and the last team to qualify for the World Cup 2023.