Sri Lanka won the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier title in spectacular fashion, defeating Netherlands by a comfortable margin of 128 runs in the final held in Harare. Chasing 234 to win, the Sri Lankans dominated the match, taking five wickets within the opening powerplay and eventually bowling out the Netherlands for just 105 runs. Although both teams had already secured qualification for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in India, Sri Lanka ended their time in Zimbabwe with an undefeated record and the coveted trophy.
_ GROUP STAGE: undefeated
_ Super Six Stage: Undefeated
_Final: undefeatedSri Lanka enjoyed a dream run #CWC23 Qualifier! pic.twitter.com/QJKDm6nS8M– ICC (@ICC) 9 July 2023
cre trending stories
The standout performers for Sri Lanka were Mahesh Thikshana (4/31) and Dilshan Madushanka (3/18), who dismantled the Dutch batting lineup, ensuring victory for their team in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier. Sri Lanka suffered a slight setback during their innings, losing wickets in the middle order, but managed to post a competitive total of 233 runs. The Dutch team faltered early on and were reduced to 49 for six from 25 for no loss. Sri Lanka took complete control of the match, and despite Max O’Dowd (33) and Logan van Beek (20*) briefly stemming the tide, the Netherlands fell well short of their target.
Initially, Sri Lanka opened their batting innings until Sadeera Samarawickrama (19) was dismissed by Vikramjit Singh in the ninth over. The wicket of Pathum Nissanka (23) also fell in Singh’s next over, thanks to a wonderful diving catch by Aryan Dutt, leaving the Lions at 44 for two. However, Kusal Mendis (43) and Sahan Arachige took control for Sri Lanka and took their side past 100 in the 20th over. After this, Mendis was dismissed LBW by Saqib Zulfikar (2/59). Arachige and Charith Asalanka (36) kept the scoreboard going, but both batsmen were dismissed in successive overs, with Arachige caught by Zulfikar at point after scoring 57 and Asalanka being run out.
When skipper Dasun Shanaka fell victim to Logan Van Beek, followed by Dhananjaya de Silva’s dismissal for just one run, Sri Lanka found themselves at 190 for seven, having previously been 180 for three. However, vital contributions from Wanindu Hasaranga (29) and Thikshana (13) helped Sri Lanka reach a competitive total of 233 before being dismissed. Chasing a target of 234, the Netherlands got off to a good start with openers Odode and Vikramjit Singh scoring runs in a row. However, Singh was dismissed by Madushanka for 13 in the fifth over, leading to the collapse of the Dutch team. Madushanka dismissed Wesley Barresi for a duck in the next over, while Hasaranga sent Teja Ndamanuru scoreless.
The Netherlands continued to lose wickets at a rapid rate, with Noah Cross getting out lbw and Scott Edwards being run out, leaving the team struggling at 41 for five. The situation worsened as Saqib Zulfikar was also lbw off Hasranga, leaving the score at 49 for six. Van Beek provided some stability with O’Dowd until Thekshana bowled him. Thikshana continued to excel, dismissing Ryan Klein and Aryan Dutt in quick succession before taking the final wicket in the middle of the 24th over to seal an emphatic 128-run victory for Sri Lanka and the tournament title. Both the teams will now turn their attention to India, where Netherlands will take the Q1 spot in the World Cup draw, while Sri Lanka occupy the Q2 spot.
score in a nutshell
Sri Lanka all out for 233 in 47.5 overs (Sahan Arachige 57, Kusal Mendis 43; Vikramjeet Singh 2/12, Logan van Beek 2/40)
Netherlands all out for 105 in 23.3 overs (Max O’Dowd 33, Logan van Beek 20*; Mahesh Thikshana 4/31, Dilshan Madushanka 3/18)