In a stunning display of dominance, Sri Lanka vs Netherlands match undefeated Sri Lanka has emerged as the standout team in the Cricket World Cup Qualifier. However, their unbeaten record will face a formidable challenge in the final as the Netherlands ride a wave of success, creating an orange surge that cannot be ignored.
Building a Strong Foundation: Sri Lanka Journey
Sri Lanka laid a solid foundation in challenging conditions, thanks to an impressive opening partnership between Pathum Nissanka and Sadeera Samarawickrama, who was promoted up the batting order.
The duo appeared at ease until the introduction of Vikramjit Singh into the attack. Singh enticed a drive from Samarawickrama, resulting in a brilliant catch by Croes at short extra cover. Samarawickrama had to walk back to the pavilion after contributing 19 runs.
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Singh’s medium pace struck again when Nissanka flicked a delivery straight to fine leg, where Aryan Dutt took a commendable low catch. Nissanka’s innings came to an end at 23.
Following the fall of two wickets, Kusal Mendis and Sahan Arachchige embarked on a rebuilding mission for Sri Lanka, gradually increasing the scoring rate. Their partnership seemed promising as they reached the 72-run mark, setting the stage for a strong Lankan innings.
Kusal Mendis Falls: Sri Lanka vs Netherlands
However, the balance shifted when Saqib Zulfiqar dismissed Mendis with a delivery that deceived him while attempting a sweep. The lbw appeal was upheld, and despite opting for a review, Mendis had to depart after contributing 43 runs.
At the halfway mark, the game hung in the balance, with Sri Lanka’s score at 124/3.
In the earlier stages, Netherlands won the toss and elected to bowl first at the Harare Sports Club. This decision aligned with the prevailing trend of capitalizing on the new-ball threat in the morning and choosing to chase during the afternoon.
Dutch skipper Scott Edwards confirmed that Bas de Leede would not be part of the tournament final due to his County cricket commitments. As a result, Noah Croes received his ODI cap, making his debut. Although primarily known as a wicketkeeper-batter, Croes took part in the field while Edwards handled the wicketkeeping duties.
For Sri Lanka, Dimuth Karunaratne was rested in preparation for Test cricket duties, and Dushan Hemantha missed out to accommodate the return of Wanindu Hasaranga and Dhananjaya de Silva.
Playing XI Sri Lanka vs. Netherlands
Here are the playing XIs for the final clash:
Playing XI Sri Lanka:
- Dasun Shanaka (c)
- Pathum Nissanka
- Sadeera Samarawickrama
- Kusal Mendis (wk)
- Dhananjaya de Silva
- Charith Asalanka
- Sahan Arachchige
- Wanindu Hasaranga
- Maheesh Theekshana
- Matheesha Pathirana
- Dilshan Madushanka
Playing XI Netherlands:
- Scott Edwards (c, wk)
- Vikram Singh
- Max O’Dowd
- Wesley Barresi
- Teja Nidamanuru
- Noah Croes
- Saqib Zulfiqar
- Logan van Beek
- Ryan Klein
- Aryan Dutt
- Clayton Floyd
The Journey to the Final
In the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023, Sri Lanka and the Netherlands have taken distinct routes to secure their spots in the tournament final. Moreover, these two teams have earned the last two tickets to the main event in India later this year. Their impressive performances throughout the qualifier have set the stage for a titanic clash in the final, where the winner will claim the ultimate glory.