FIRST T 20 CLASH IN SUPER EIGHTS SRI LANKA PLAY ENGLAND ON 22nd AND AGAINST NZ ON 25th-by Sunil Thenabadu
Sri Lanka will play their first T-20 World Cup super eight game against England on February 22 at Pallekele, commencing at 3pm.
After eight wickets victory over Australia, Sri Lanka came on top of the ‘B’ group to ensure the super eight stage presence with 6 points (three wins in a row).
Zimbabwe – Ireland game washed out
The match between Zimbabwe and Ireland which was scheduled to be played yesterday at Pallekele from 3 pm was delayed by rain and finally abandoned at 5.30 pm. The two teams shared one point each and with this result Zimbabwe has been qualified to play in super eight stage with 5 points while Australia had to eliminate from the super eight round. This is the first time Australia couldn’t qualify for the second round. Even if Australia win their last group match against Oman on next Friday they have no chance of qualifying to super eight round as they have won only a one game against Ireland earning 2 points. Zimbabwe got 5 points and through to super stage round with back to back wins. Sri Lanka will meet Zimbabwe in their last group game on February 19 at P.Premadasa Stadium. Both teams are already in the super eight stage. This is also the first time Zimbabwe has qualified for the second round of a World Cup since 2003. With Zimbabwe’s qualification they will lift to second place in the group. They will play against West Indies in their first super eight game on February 23 in Mumbai followed by against India on February 26 in Chennai and against South Africa on March 1 in Delhi .
Sri Lanka meet NZ on Feb. 25
Sri Lanka will meet New Zealand in their second super eight game on February 25 at R.Premadasa Stadium from 7 pm while third super eight game of Sri Lanka will be played at Pallekele on Feb.28. But the opponent team is not finalized yet and most probably it could be Pakistan. It will be decided after today’s Pakistan and Namibia game at SSC.
India already qualified with 6 points to play super eight stage from Group ‘A’ while today’s result of the game between Pakistan and Namibia will decide whether Pakistan or USA will qualify for the super eight from Group ‘A’.
India 6 points, USA and Pakistan both have 4 points each in second and third places and waiting the result of today’ s Pakistan and Namibia game. If Pakistan win today they will go for the super eight and if Pakistan lose today the USA and Pakistan net run rate will decide the super eight stage qualification.
Meanwhile West Indies and England have qualified to super eight from Group ‘C’ while South Africa and New Zealand have qualified to play super eight from Group ‘D’. New Zealand beat Canada by 8 wickets in their group game yesterday played at Chennai and Canadian opener Yuvraj Samra’s knock of 110 was in vain. Yuvraj the 19-year-old opener became the youngest player to score T-20 World Cup century.
Seven of the eight teams already qualified to play super eight stage and today’s Pakistan and Namibia game result will decide the last team. The super eight stage will commence on February 21.
Super eight qualifications
Group A – India and (second team will decide today)
Group B – Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe
Group C – West Indies and England
Group D – South Africa and New Zealand
Sri Lanka super eight matches
Feb 22 Sri Lanka Vs England
at Pallekele, 3pm
Feb -25 Sri Lanka Vs New Zealand
at R. Premadasa Stadium, 7 pm
Feb 28 – Sri Lanka Vs (team not confirmed yet) at Pallekele, 7pm
