ODI World Cup Qualifiers: Sri Lanka and Scotland continue to shine with impressive wins

Wanindu Hasaranga made it two five-wicket hauls in as many matches as Sri Lanka claimed their second win of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023, with Scotland matching them. 

The leg-spinner took six wickets in the opening win over the United Arab Emirates, and was at it again with five for 13 in a ten-wicket success against Oman.

Scotland, meanwhile, backed up their thrilling win over Ireland by beating the UAE by 111 runs, with a captain’s knock from Richie Berrington.

His 127 fired them to 282 for eight from their 50 overs before Chris Sole and Safyaan Sharif finished the job with the ball to complete a comfortable victory.

Hasaranga doubles up for in-form Sri Lanka 

A second successive dominant victory for Sri Lanka has effectively sealed their place in the Super Six, after they cruised to a ten-wicket win over Oman.

Wanindu Hasaranga was the star of the show once again, taking his second five-wicket haul in ODIs, and second in as many matches, as Oman were bowled out for just 98. 

Sri Lanka needed just 15 overs to chase that total down, Dimuth Karunaratne (61 not out) leading them home in style. 

Lahiru Kumara (3/22) made the early inroads for Sri Lanka, who had elected to bowl first, removing Kashyap Prajapati in the second over. 

He added skipper Zeeshan Maqsood and Mohammad Nadeem, with Kasun Rajitha dismissing Aqib Ilyas as Oman slumped to 20 for four. 

A 52-run stand between Jatinder Singh (21) and Ayaan Khan (41) hinted at a recovery before Hasaranga entered the fray. 

His triple wicket maiden ripped the heart out of the Omani middle order, leaving them in dire trouble at 72 for seven. 

Hasaranga finally removed Ayaan before finishing off the innings by trapping Bilal Khan leg before. 

Sri Lanka showed their intent from the very first ball of the chase, Pathum Nissanka (39 not out) slashing Bilal for four over point. 

The pair never really looked troubled, bringing up the 50 partnership in the seventh over with Karunaratne’s fifth boundary of the innings. 

He was given a reprieve just before reaching his half-century, dropped off the bowling of Zeeshan and it was fitting that Karunaratne finished it in style, scooping the ball to fine leg for a boundary to finish it. 

Sri Lanka have now won two in a row with matches against Ireland and Scotland to come. Oman may have tasted defeat for the first time but they can still reach the Super Six with a win over Scotland in their next game.

Berrington leads from the front for Scotland  

A captain’s innings from Richie Berrington got Scotland out of some early trouble as they beat the UAE by 111 runs at the Bulawayo Athletic Club. 

Junaid Siddique (3/49) and Ali Naseer (2/37) posed a threat with the new ball after the UAE had put Scotland in, reducing them to 48 for four. 

However, Berrington (127) and Michael Leask (41) – the hero against Ireland – steadied the ship with a 67-run stand. 

Karthik Meiyappan provided a much-needed breakthrough but Chris Greaves (22) provided more support in a 51-run partnership. 

While Jack Jarvis (2) did not last long, Mark Watt came in and provided more support for Berrington, hammering an unbeaten 44 from 31 balls as the pair put on 110. 

Berrington hit nine fours and three sixes in a magnificent knock, finally run out on the final ball of the innings as Scotland reached 282 for eight. 

That proved more than enough, with Chris Sole taking two wickets in two balls on his way to figures of three for 37 as the UAE slumped to 34 for three in reply. 

Plenty of batters got in, including skipper Muhammad Waseem (36), but none were able to turn starts into big scores as wickets fell at regular intervals. 

Basil Hameed (30) kept the scoreboard ticking over before he was the seventh man to fall, Chris Greaves getting through his defences to have him bowled. 

Safyaan Sharif then provided the finishing flourish, taking four for 20 including two wickets in the final over to wrap up victory and boost Scotland’s hopes of making the Super Six. 

Top two face off while Netherlands and Nepal battle for Super Six 

With two wins apiece, the West Indies and Zimbabwe are well-placed to make the Super Six, but their meeting at the Harare Sports Club could have major implications on the next round of games. 

With two teams qualifying for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 through the Qualifier, every win carried through to the Super Six will be critical, meaning there is a lot riding on this encounter. 

Meanwhile, the match between the Netherlands and Nepal could end up being decisive in the race for third place in Group A. 

For Nepal, only a win will do at the Takashinga Cricket Club but if they can get the better of the Dutch, they will be on the brink of qualifying. 

Netherlands will clinch a top three spot in the group with a win, ahead of a final match against the Windies. 

Scores in brief:

Sri Lanka beat Oman at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo by ten wickets
Oman 98 all out in 30.2 overs (Ayaan Khan 41, Jatinder Singh 21; Wanindu Hasaranga 5/13, Lahiru Kumara 3/22)
Sri Lanka 100/0 in 15 overs (Dimuth Karunaratne 61*, Pathum Nissanka 37*; Ayaan Khan 0/10)  

Scotland beat UAE at Bulawayo Athletic Club, Bulawayo by 111 runs
Scotland 282/8 in 50 overs (Richie Berrington 127, Mark Watt 44; Junaid Siddique 3/49, Ali Naseer 2/37)
UAE 171 all out in 35.3 overs (Muhammad Waseem 36, Basil Hameed 30; Safyaan Sharif 4/20, Chris Sole 3/37)

Saturday 24 June – Fixtures
Group A
Zimbabwe v West Indies at Harare Sports Club, Harare
Nepal v Netherlands at Takashinga Cricket Club, Harare