‘Ye log Asia Cup champions hain’ – Sri Lanka fail to get direct qualification for 50-over World Cup for the first time in 44 years

New Zealand sealed a series over Sri Lanka in a three-match ODI series with a scoreline of 2-0 on Saturday. Dasun Shanaka, the captain of Sri Lanka, decided to bat first in the crucial match after winning the toss. However, the Sri Lankan batters struggled once more against the speed and movement of the New Zealand bowlers and were unable to score runs. 

As Sri Lanka struggled to score runs, Matt Henry, Henry Shipley and Daryl Mitchell all displayed excellent ball control. They had plans to execute against each and every batter and made life difficult for them at the crease. The three of them took three wickets each and were able to limit the push from Sri Lanka. 

The only batters for Sri Lanka to exhibit any resilience were Pathum Nissanka, who scored a decent 57 in 64 balls along with some support and small cameos from Dasun Shanaka and Chamika Karunaratne. The tourists were dismissed for 157 runs in 41.3 overs, leaving it to their bowlers to guide their team to victory. 

New Zealand’s pursuit in response started off to a shaky start, losing three wickets in the initial seven overs. Chad Bowes, Tom Blundell, Daryl Mitchell, and Tom Latham were their four batters who failed to go past the double-digit mark. 

However, Will Young and Henry Nicholls made crucial plays to help the visitors win. Young scored 86* and Nicholls added 44* to form a combination of 100 runs that gave New Zealand a six-wicket victory. New Zealand clinched the three-match ODI series 2-0 with this triumph in Hamilton. 

Sri Lanka’s loss in today’s game prevented them from catching West Indies (88 points) for the last automatic qualification place. Sri Lanka finishes its season with 81 points. In order to participate in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier and try to earn a spot in the competition, later, this year. Sri Lanka will now travel to Zimbabwe in June and hope to qualify for the World Cup in October in India. 

With 175 points for the season, New Zealand finishes first in the Super League standings. West Indies may still lose out to South Africa (78 points) and Ireland in the battle for eighth place. (68 points). Ireland will face Bangladesh in an ODI series consisting of three matches in May, while South Africa will play the Netherlands in a two-match ODI series beginning today. 

Fans react to Sri Lanka failing direct qualification for the first time in 44 years: 

Sri Lanka is officially out of the direct Qualification for ICC World Cup 2023.

Sri Lanka will be playing an ODI WC Qualifier for the first time in 44 years.

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 31, 2023

But according to Daniel Alexander Sri Lanka is best Asian team😭😂

— CHEEKU 🇮🇳 (@CricCrazy_1) March 31, 2023

NZ were without
• Kane Williamson
• Tim Southee
• Devon Conway
•Fin Allen
•Glenn Philips
•Lockie Ferguson
•Micheal Bracewell
•Trent Boult
Team 73 lost to them @daniel86cricket 👏😂😂😂😂

— utsav (@Utsav138098214) March 31, 2023

This is what happens when all your great player retire like mahela jayawardane, kumar sangkarra, dilshan, jayasuria. People should be more thoughful before forcing senior players to retire just because of age.

— Ekaansh Arora (@EkaanshAro68080) March 31, 2023

Quality of SL cricket went downwards more than WI cricket.
Sanga, murli, mahela, vaas must come out of retirement

— Suyash Bafna (@7SUYASH_) March 31, 2023

And they are Asia Cup Winner. Pity on Pakistan. What a bad luck.

— Ahsan Mirza (@ahsmirza) March 31, 2023

south africa and Windies atleast one will have to play odi wc qualifiers

— Ankit 🇮🇳 (@Ankitrox0) March 31, 2023

Waiting for @daniel86cricket
Look what happened to the best team in the world(2nd best Paxtan)😭😭

— tꪖꪀiડꫝ (@ti63513819) March 31, 2023

They won't even play the World Cup
They won't qualify

— Naman🏏🥰 (@NamanShah2607) March 31, 2023