 Sri Lanka will play hosts Zimbabwe at Harare in the last league game of
the Zimbabwe tri-series. A lot will depend on how the India-Sri Lanka game before
this match goes, and based on the result of that game, the Zimbabwe-Sri Lanka
game may or may be important.
Click for Live Score Card of Zimbabwe Vs Sri LankaThe various scenarios are as follows for that game:
1. If India lose to Sri Lanka, then India is out of the tournament. this will
mean that the game between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe will turn into an inconsequential
game, or a dress rehearsal for the final, that will be contested between the
same two sides, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.
2. If India beat Sri Lanka, but do not win by a bonus point, the Indians will
be in a tight position. It will mean that for India to qualify, Zimbabwe will
need to beat Sri Lanka. If Sri Lanka beat Zimbabwe, then again, Sri Lanka and
Zimbabwe will qualify for the final, and India will narrowly miss out.
3. The third is the most interesting scenario, but also the most unlikely one.
If India beat Sri Lanka by a bonus point, then, the things heat up a
lot in the tournament. This will mean that the Indians will have nine points
in the series, which is the same as Zimbabwe. However, Sri Lanka has five points.
So, for Sri Lanka to qualify, they will need to beat Zimbabwe by a bonus point
and then have the team with the better net run rate, India or Zimbabwe join
them in the final. If Sri Lanka beat the Zimbabweans without a bonus point,
then, the sides will all be tied at nine points each, and the top two with the
best net run rate will go through. If, on the other hand, Zimbabwe beat Sri
Lanka, India will play Zimbabwe in the final of the tournament.
Irrespective of the result of the India-Sri Lanka game, the thing to be seen
is that the Sri Lankans have had a good first game against Zimbabwe, and those
scars will remain for the hosts. After all, the thrashing that was afforded
to them in previous game, will put a lot of pressure on Zimbabwe.
What will be interesting to see is whether Zimbabwe decide to use the same
strategy of going in with their list of spinners that they had against India.
Should make for an interesting contest if India beat Sri Lanka
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