After the riveting league phase, the men's ODI World Cup qualifier has reached the Super Six, where Zimbabwe, Netherlands, West Indies, Sri Lanka, Scotland and Oman will contest for two spots at the main event in India later this year.
The cut-throat nature of the qualifier has already left West Indies, who were pre-tournament favourites along with Sri Lanka, on the brink of elimination. Unless the stars align in their favour in a big way, they - champions in the first two editions in 1975 and 1979 - will not feature in the ODI World Cup for the first time. This, after they had failed to make it to the T20 World Cup in Australia last year.
Victories in their three matches will obviously give them the best chance of qualification, but even then they will be at the mercy of several other results going in their favour.
To start with, they will have to hope that both Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe lose at least two of their three games; if they win two, they will both move to eight points, which will guarantee qualification.
ICC World Cup 2023 Qualifiers: West Indies in danger of missing first ODI World Cup
ICC World Cup 2023 Qualifiers: West Indies in danger of missing first ODI World Cup
Zimbabwe and former champions Sri Lanka find themselves in a favorable position to secure the last two qualifying berths for this year's ODI World Cup, while the West Indies, who have won the trophy twice, stare at the possible embarrassment of missing the tournament for the first time.
Having triumphed in all four group matches, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka enter the crucial Super Six stage of the qualifiers with four points each, carrying over the rewards obtained from defeating the teams that also progressed from the initial round.
With their impressive batting performances, including a national record-breaking score of 408-6 against the USA, Zimbabwe can approach the upcoming matches with confidence, expecting the runs to keep flowing as the stakes heighten from Thursday.
"We have found our momentum and we are looking forward to carrying it," said Sean Williams, who scored 174 in Monday's 304-run rout of the USA.
Zimbabwe and former champions Sri Lanka find themselves in a favorable position to secure the last two qualifying berths for this year's ODI World Cup, while the West Indies, who have won the trophy twice, stare at the possible embarrassment of missing the tournament for the first time.
Having triumphed in all four group matches, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka enter the crucial Super Six stage of the qualifiers with four points each, carrying over the rewards obtained from defeating the teams that also progressed from the initial round.
With their impressive batting performances, including a national record-breaking score of 408-6 against the USA, Zimbabwe can approach the upcoming matches with confidence, expecting the runs to keep flowing as the stakes heighten from Thursday.
"We have found our momentum and we are looking forward to carrying it," said Sean Williams, who scored 174 in Monday's 304-run rout of the USA.
No comments:
Post a Comment