In the fourth Super Six match of the 2023 edition of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers, the Sri Lankan cricket team will be going one-on-one against Zimbabwe. The two teams will be playing against each other in an important match on Sunday at the Queen Sports Club, Bulawayo.
Zimbabwe formed a part of Group A during the league round and collected eight points with the help of four victories and no losses. The side excelled in all three formats of the game be it batting, bowling, or fielding. They are looking good in the Super Six round as well and are at the top of the table.
The 36-year-old Sean Williams has played a major role in the team’s golden run with 532 runs to his name in five matches at an average of over 133.00. As far as Sri Lanka is concerned, they also are yet to score their first loss in the Cricket World Cup Qualifiers.
For the island nation, the bowling unit has done the main job with Wanindu Hasaranga leading the wicket-taking charts from the very first match. The team also has some key batters on their side including Dasun Shanaka, Dimuth Karunaratne, and others.
What has happened so far?
Zimbabwe is truly enjoying the purple patch in the Qualifiers, as after topping the league round points table, they are ruling the Super Six round as well. The team is coming into the Sunday game after defeating Oman in the first Super Six match.
It was a fine batting performance by the side as they posted 332 runs on the scoreboard while the bowlers continued the momentum to restrict Oman to 318 runs.
Speaking of Sri Lanka, they will play their first Super Six game against the Netherlands. The island nation also ended up at the top of the Group B points table during the league round with four wins and eight points.
Head to Head Record
Sri Lanka has an edge over Zimbabwe in the head-to-head record
Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe have featured in a total of 60 One Day Internationals against each other in the history of the gentlemen’s game so far. The island nation has enjoyed an edge over Zimbabwe as they have won 46 ODIs while the latter has scored victory in only 12 games. The remaining two matches between the two teams did not fetch any results.
Key Players
Sean Williams (Zimbabwe): Sean Williams took the Player of the Match award home in the first match of the Super Six round as Zimbabwe defeated Oman by 14 runs. Batting in the first innings, Zimbabwe added 332 runs on the scoreboard in their allotted 50 overs owing to Williams who smacked 142 runs after facing 103 balls with the help of 14 boundaries and three maximums.
Williams is also the top run-getter in the tournament with 532 runs in five matches at an average of over 133. Therefore, he will be the key player for Zimbabwe on Sunday as they will play at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka): Sri Lanka finished the league round of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers 2023 at the top of the Group B points tally with eight points courtesy of Wanindu Hasaranga. The spin master had the opposition batter on their toes throughout the group stage and ended up with a stunning 18 wickets in just five matches.
Hasaranga is also backed by his impressive international record of 63 wickets in 44 One Day Internationals at an economy rate of 6.89. Thus, the mantle of taking the team through the Super Six round will be on Hasaranga only.
Predicted XIs
Zimbabwe: Joylord Gumbie (wk), Craig Ervine ©, Wessly Madhevere, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Ryan Burl, Wellington Masakadza, Luke Jongwe, Richard Ngarava, Tendai Chatara, Blessing Muzarabani
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama (wk), Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka ©, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha
Prediction
Both Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe are expected to give a tough fight to each other as they are the only unbeatable teams in the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers 2023 so far. The two teams ended up at the top of their respective groups’ points table by winning all four league games.
The chances of Zimbabwe outshining Sri Lanka on Sunday are high as they made a stunning start to the Super Six round by defeating Oman in the opening match by 14 runs. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka will not hand over an easy win to the opposition and will make sure to churn out an all-round performance.