1996 World Cup winners and the two-time finalists in 2007 and 2011, Sri Lanka missed out on the 2023 World Cup direct qualification. Ahead of the recently-concluded ODI against New Zealand, the Lankan Lions needed to win to keep their hopes alive. On the other hand, they needed the other results to go their way. For example- They needed the Netherlands to beat South Africa in the upcoming two-match series.
Meanwhile, in the third ODI against the Blackcaps, the islanders won the toss and elected to bat first. They had a poor start as they lost four wickets for 49 runs. The likes of Kusal Mendis and former skipper Angelo Matthews bagged ducks at this stage. Things got worse for the team as they lost their fifth wicket at the score of 70. On the other hand, Pathum Nissanka (57) was trying to keep some sanity amid the Lankan collapse.
However, as soon as he got run out, the lower order didn’t do much with the bat apart from skipper Dasun Shanaka (31). The former World Champions were folded for 157 runs. For the home side, Matt Henry, Henry Shipley, and Daryl Mitchell took three wickets each.
Sri Lanka had a strong start but ended up losing badly
In reply, the Tom Latham-led side had a difficult start as they lost three wickets for 21 runs. At this point, the Dasun Shanaka-led side was looking like making inroads and took the fourth wicket with 59 runs on board. However, the likes of Will Young (86*) and Henry Nicholls (44*) took the team over the line.
They put together unbeaten 100 runs for the fifth wicket. With this, the home team won the series 2-0 with the second game abandoned due to rain. Talking about their position in the World Cup Super League, they are leading the charts with 175 points and have qualified for the ODI World Cup in October this year. On the other hand, Sri Lanka will have to play in the qualification tournament to determine the last two spots in the World Cup.
This is how Twitter reacted
From seeing the legends like Sanath , Arvind De Silva, Rana Tunga , Chaminda Vaas destroying India in 90s to not qualifying directly for 2023 World Cup SL team not gives you vibes like before 💔
— ً (@SarcasticCowboy) March 31, 2023
1 like = 1 slap on Daniel Alexander
— Aarav (@sigma__male_) March 31, 2023
@daniel86cricket right now pic.twitter.com/ZdJPwsBSaV
— NIKHIL 🇮🇳 (@nikhil_nsu) March 31, 2023
Meanwhile west indies 😟 pic.twitter.com/0Og7APHQEH
— Vidit ⚡ (@Vid_itt) March 31, 2023
Who would agree they were finalists 2 wcs before 😞
Unreal Downfall— Vishesh Jain (@Vishesh2495) March 31, 2023
Yes, it's down to West Indies or South Africa for the Final spot.
SA need to win both their ODIs which goinh to start in few hours.
Can Netherlands upset again?
— CricketGully (@thecricketgully) March 31, 2023
Now they will bring back Dimuth, Chandimal and Matthews trio for the qualifiers again…
— Mohan Raswant (@mohanraswant22) March 31, 2023
Meanwhile Alexander pic.twitter.com/wZp5SpjbpW
— Attention Deficiency (@warofwords01) March 31, 2023
Last month they were in the race of WTC and now they even failed to qualify for wc entry
!!
— Ritesh (@Ritesh46280636) March 31, 2023
What a team SL once had but now 😔
Anyway let's laugh at @daniel86cricket and @nibraz88cricket 🤣— 🐐 (@FOREVER_VK_FAN) March 31, 2023
