New Zealand decimates Sri Lanka by 198 runs in Auckland 1st of 3-match ODI series

Sri Lanka’s chances of direct qualification for World cup 2023 look slim after a humiliating defeat at the hands of New Zealand. New Zealand decimated Sri Lanka by 198 runs in Auckland in the first of the three-match ODI series. Sri Lanka’s scorecard of 76 runs follows their score of 73 in their previous outing against India in January.

Sri Lanka now needs South Africa to lose at least one game in their two-match series against the Nederlands and win the remaining two games against New Zealand, to qualify for the World Cup. The top eight teams in the super league points table will get a direct entry to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 which will be held in India.

The remaining teams will have to play in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier along with five Associate teams for the last two slots. India automatically qualifies on the account of being the tournament hosts.