NZ vs SL: Sri Lanka's World Cup Qualification In Jeopardy Following Massive Defeat Against New Zealand

New Zealand defeated Sri Lanka by 198 runs in the 1st ODI of a 3-match series on Saturday, March 25. This result has put the South Asian nation’s qualification chances into the ODI World Cup later this year in jeopardy.

The Blackcaps were bowled out for 274 while batting first, with keeper-batsman Finn Allen scoring a 50 and Chamika Karunaratne taking 4 wickets. Lanka’s batting started falling apart from the word go, losing wickets constantly, they were bowled out for just 76. NZ seamer Henry Shipley was named Player of the Match for his five-wicket haul.

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In the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League Standings, which determines which teams qualify for the World Cup, NZ have taken the top spot with 160 points in 22 games. Each team plays 24 ODIs, teams are given 10 points for a win and 5 points for a tie/no contest. Teams have 1 point deducted from the league for each over they bowl over the allotted time period.

The top 8 nations in the league standings automatically qualify for the World Cup. India will qualify regardless due to them being the hosts. The 9th to 13th-ranked teams will face off in a qualifier to determine the final two qualifying teams.

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The Lankan Lions are currently languishing in 10th in the Super League table. Seven out of eight automatic qualification spots are already filled. If SL are not able to rescue any points from the upcoming 2 matches in the series, they will find it extremely difficult to make it to the 8th spot.

How is the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League shaping up to be

As stated before, New Zealand are currently at the top of the World Cup Super League table, but how is the rest of the bracket shaping up to be?

NZ are followed by England, who are only 5 points behind at 155. The hosts India are 3rd with 139 points.

Bangladesh are surprisingly at 4th on the table with 130 points. With the same amount of points but a slightly worse Net Run Rate (NRR) stands Pakistan at 5th. Six-time World Champions Australia currently find themselves at 6th with 120 points. Rounding out the top 7 is Afghanistan with 115 points.

With all the previously named teams having already qualified for the 2023 ODI World Cup, we now come to the teams that are in positions to enter the 5-team qualifying round. No.8 are West Indies with 88 points and having played all matches.

9th are South Africa, who are at 78 points with 5 matches at hand and in the strongest position to qualify directly. 10th are Sri Lanka with 77 points.

11th, 12th, and 13th spots are occupied by Ireland, Zimbabwe, and the Netherlands respectively. These sides will most definitely play the qualifying rounds.

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