Four teams still have a chance to qualify for this year’s ODI World Cup in India through the ongoing qualifier tournament in Zimbabwe following the ouster of two-time world champions West Indies.
Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Scotland and the Netherlands are among the two teams in the race to qualify for the prestigious 50-over tournament starting in India on October 5. Sri Lanka have six points from three Super Six matches. Sri Lanka, who have been unbeaten so far in the tournament, will qualify for the World Cup if they beat Zimbabwe here on Sunday.
Despite the defeat against Zimbabwe, the Sri Lankan team will have a chance to make it to the World Cup if they beat the West Indies in their final Super Six match on July 7. Sri Lanka’s net run rate (1.832) is also very good.
Zimbabwe also have six points from three matches and have won all their matches like Sri Lanka. The team’s net run rate (0.752) is not very good and despite a win against Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe’s road to the World Cup will not be easy. A loss against Scotland in their final match could see Zimbabwe’s exit from the tournament. Scotland have four points from three matches.
The win against the West Indies has boosted the team’s hopes of qualifying. If the team wins both its remaining matches and the Sri Lankan team defeats Zimbabwe, then the Scottish team will qualify. If the Zimbabwe team wins this match, then Sri Lanka, Scotland and Zimbabwe can have eight points each. In such a situation, the net run rate will matter a lot.
Scotland have a net run rate of 0.188 and must win their next match against Zimbabwe on Tuesday.
The Netherlands have two points from three matches and will need big wins in their remaining two matches against Oman and Scotland to make it to the World Cup. The Netherlands team would like Sri Lanka to qualify so that the second place match will be between them, Zimbabwe and Scotland. Netherlands has the lowest net run rate (minus 0.560) among the four teams.
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