Despite a resolute fightback by the Netherlands, Sri Lanka held on to register a 21-run victory in their first Super Six match while Ireland defeated USA by six wickets.

Sri Lanka beat Netherlands by 21 runs in the second game of the Super Six stage in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 Qualifiers at the Queens Sports Club on Friday.

While batting first, Sri Lanka had to face an early collapse as they had lost four wickets for just 34 runs but Dhananjaya de Silva saved the day for the Lankan Tigers after scoring 93 off 111 with 10 boundaries and helping his team post a target of 214 runs for the Dutch.

In their chase, the Netherlands had to meet with disappointment as seven of their players didn’t even enter into the double figures while batting. The Dutch captain Scott Edwards remained unbeaten till the end with 67 off 68.

Zimbabwe, Netherlands and West Indies qualified from Group A. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka, Scotland and Oman from Group B managed to secure their place in the Super Six stage.

Only two out of six teams will secure their place in the Cricket World Cup.

The hosts are yet to lose any game in the qualifiers and have posted a target of 300 or more runs three times in the tournament.

The four teams that do not reach the Super Six stage will remain in Zimbabwe and compete in the playoff.

ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifies 2023 (Super Six, playoff fixtures)

Saturday, 1 July
Super 6: Scotland v West Indies, Harare Sports Club
Sunday, 2 July
Super 6: Zimbabwe v Sri Lanka, Queen’s Sports Club
Playoff: Nepal v UAE Takashinga Cricket Club
Monday, 3 July
Super 6: Netherlands v Oman, Harare Sports Club
Tuesday, 4 July
Super 6: Zimbabwe v Scotland, Queen’s Sports Club
Playoff: 7th v 8th Takashinga Cricket Club
Wednesday, 5 July
Super 6: West Indies v Oman, Harare Sports Club
Thursday, 6 July
Super 6: Scotland v Netherlands, Queen’s Sports Club
Playoff: 9th v 10th Takashinga Cricket Club
Friday, 07 July
Super 6 Sri Lanka v West Indies, Harare Sports Club
Sunday, 09 July
Final at Harare Sports Club

Source: Online 

BDST: 1236 HRS, JULY 01, 2023
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