(Cricket news) As a result of Sri Lanka’s victory against Zimbabwe, three countries are now vying for the final position in the ICC Cricket World Cup, which will take place in India later this year. With a decisive victory over Zimbabwe, the 1996 Cricket World Cup champions Sri Lanka continued their unbeaten streak at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier and climbed to eight points on the Super Six standings, securing their place at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
The loss was Zimbabwe’s first in the competition, and it puts the hosts, who play Scotland in a crucial matchup next, in second place with six points from the Super Six stage. However, two sides in the chase group can still have aspirations of grabbing a critical top-two finish at the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier. Zimbabwe still has control over their own qualification prospects.
For the Cricket World Cup in India in 2023, only the top two teams after the Super Six stage would be eligible. As the two-time ICC Cricket World Cup champions entered the Super Six round with 0 points and were eliminated by a humiliating loss to Scotland, West Indies will not be among those candidates.
1. Zimbabwe
Super Six games played: 4
Super Six games won: 3 (Netherlands, West Indies, Oman)
Super Six points: 6
Net run-rate: +0.030
Yet to play: Scotland
Together with Sri Lanka, the hosts, Zimbabwe began the Super Six stage as the teams with the best win-loss records going into their pivotal match. The Chevrons’ loss to Sri Lanka may have been expensive, but they still control their own destiny because a victory over Scotland in their final game will guarantee them a spot in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.
If Zimbabwe were to lose two games in a row, they would be at serious risk of losing their berth in the ICC Cricket World Cup to Scotland or the Netherlands, teams that are currently ahead of them in the standings.
2. Sri Lanka
Super Six games played: 4
Super Six games won: 4 (Oman, Scotland, Netherlands, Zimbabwe)
Super Six points: 8
Net run-rate: +1.817
Yet to play: West Indies
Sri Lanka has been in commanding form throughout the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier, keeping each of their opponents’ totals under 200 runs while remaining unbeaten. Even the game against Zimbabwe, which had previously gone undefeated, ended up being a one-sided affair as Sri Lanka easily won by nine wickets. Due to this victory, Sri Lanka will remain one of the top two teams in the Super Six stage and will thus be qualified for the main event in India.
3. West Indies
Super Six games played: 3
Super Six games won: 0
Super Six points: 0
Net run-rate: -0.510
Yet to play: Oman, Sri Lanka
The two-time ICC Cricket World Cup champions will not compete in the premier competition for the first time after a crushing defeat to Scotland destroyed their hopes of qualifying.
After the Netherlands snatched a stunning victory from West Indies in a Super Over during the group stage and they also ran out of wickets in a tight chase against Zimbabwe, West Indies entered the Super Six stage with 0 points.
The Caribbean team will aim to win points against Oman and possibly upset Sri Lanka’s place in the final Super Six standings, but if not, they will need to concentrate on what went wrong and how to fix it.
4. Netherlands
Super Six games played: 3
Super Six games won: 1 (West Indies)
Super Six points: 2
Net run-rate: -0.560
Yet to play: Oman, Scotland
With a thrilling Super Over victory over the West Indies, the Netherlands advanced to the Super Six stage. They also gave Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe a fright with some outstanding batting.
Even two victories in their final Super Six games are unlikely to move the Netherlands into a top-two position, making those respectable losses against the tournament’s elite teams still appear to cost them dearly.
There is still hope for the Netherlands, but in order to improve their dismal net run rate, they would need to overcome Zimbabwe in their upcoming encounter and win both of their remaining games by substantial scores.
But as evidenced by the Netherlands’ performance in this ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier, it would be foolish to dismiss them too quickly.
5. Scotland
Super Six games played: 3
Super Six games won: 2 (Oman, West Indies)
Super Six points: 4
Net run-rate: +0.188
Yet to play: Zimbabwe, Netherlands
With a convincing victory over the West Indies, Scotland significantly improved their chances of making it to the World Cup while simultaneously virtually eliminating the two-time champions.
To guarantee their place in the Cricket World Cup in India, Scotland must win both of their remaining games. Scottish hopes may have been revived by the Asian team’s victory against Zimbabwe, but a defeat to the raging Sri Lanka in the group stage may have been costly for Scotland.
Scotland now has the power to decide whether they will qualify for the World Cup. Zimbabwe, the tournament’s hosts, would need to lose to Scotland in order for the two sides to be even on points, but Scotland presently has a stronger net run rate and the advantage of one more game remaining.
6. Oman
Super Six games played: 3
Super Six games won: 0
Super Six points: 0
Net run-rate: -2.139
Yet to play: Netherlands, West Indies
Oman began their competition with two thrilling victories over Ireland and the UAE, but they may have wowed more when they gave Zimbabwe a scare in the Super Six opener while chasing 332.
Although a spot in the Cricket World Cup is now out of reach, the Asia nation will now be out to grab at least one more victory to finish their encouraging campaign on a high.
Also read: MCC apologises to Australia for heated exchange in Lord’s Long Room
