Sri Lanka beat the Netherlands by 128 runs in Sunday’s final of the 2023 Cricket World Cup qualification competition at the Harare Sports Club, with spinner Maheesh Theekshana taking 4-31.
Both sides were already qualified for the main event, which will be played from October 5 to November 19 in India, but Sri Lanka will be taking the trophy home from Zimbabwe after winning every single one of their eight matches.
After being put into bat, Sri Lanka managed only 233 runs before being bowled out in 47.5 overs, with Sahan Arachchige scoring the most runs with 57.
The Netherlands’ reply was doomed from the start, and they were eventually dismissed for 105 in 23.3 overs after falling to 49-6.
Theekshana took the most wickets, but Dilshan Madushanka chipped in with 3-18 with the ball.
The first objective was to qualify, and we achieved so. The second goal, which we also accomplished, was to take first place in the tournament. Coach Chris Silverwood of Sri Lanka assured the media that his team could relax after the match.
The self-assurance we displayed here can carry over to the World Cup.