Sri Lanka vs West Indies: ICC World Cup Qualifier 2023, Super Sixes Match 9 Preview and Predictions

The upcoming pre-tournament match holds minimal significance for both teams, as Sri Lanka has already secured their qualification for the upcoming World Cup, whereas the West Indies have been eliminated from the competition.

Taking place at the Harare Sports Club on Friday, this final encounter of the Super Six stage will see Sri Lanka as the frontrunners and expected victors. The ninth match of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers’ Super Six stage, featuring Sri Lanka and West Indies, is scheduled to commence at 12:30 PM IST.

Teams Preview

Sri Lanka

With an unbeaten record, the Lankan Lions have dominated Group B, and their invincible streak continues as they advance further in the competition. Sri Lanka’s Super Six journey kicked off with a hard-fought victory over the determined Netherlands, triumphing by a margin of 21 runs after being bowled out for a total of 213 runs in the first innings. Since then, the formidable Asian team has maintained their momentum, securing an impressive nine-wicket win against the host nation, Zimbabwe, in their next match.

West Indies

The Windies’ Super Six campaign has taken a divergent path compared to their Asian counterparts, as they find themselves prematurely ousted from the competition after suffering defeat in their initial two pivotal matches.

Led by captain Shai Hope, the Windies embarked on their quest for qualification with back-to-back victories. However, their momentum was shattered when they faced a 35-run loss at the hands of Zimbabwe. It’s worth noting that their two triumphs came against teams that failed to progress beyond the group stage, thereby denying them the opportunity to carry any wins into the Super Six stage.

Head to Head Record

Sri Lanka and the West Indies have engaged in a total of 64 One Day International (ODI) matches, showcasing their fierce cricket rivalry. Among these encounters, Sri Lanka has emerged triumphant in 30 battles, while the West Indies has claimed victory on 31 occasions. Three matches concluded without a definitive outcome, leaving room for anticipation and speculation. The statistics highlight the closely contested nature of their ODI clashes, where both teams have showcased their competitive spirit and prowess on the cricket field.

Key Players to Watch

Analyzing Form Through ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers Match Statistics

Sri Lanka Player Team Records

West Indies Player Team Records

Pitch Report:

Bowlers who can generate good bounce from the pitch tend to perform well in Harare. Batsmen should exercise caution during the power play since the bowlers will receive assistance.

SL vs WI Probable Playing 11

Based on a thorough analysis of the teams’ recent performances and squad compositions, the anticipated lineups for the West Indies Vs West Indies match are predicted as follows:

Sri Lanka

Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Kasun Rajitha, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva

West Indies

Brandon King, Johnson Charles, Shamarh Brooks, Shai Hope (c) (wk), Nicholas Pooran, Romario Shepherd, Akeal Hosein, Keemo Paul, Kyle Mayers, Roston Chase, Kevin Sinclair

Sri Lanka Vs West Indies Match Prediction

Without a doubt, Sri Lanka is widely regarded as the frontrunner in this competition and is poised to progress to the final with an unbeatable track record. Nevertheless, the Lankan Lions will be venturing into their inaugural match at Harare in this tournament, while the Caribbean team enjoys the advantage of playing all their matches at this venue.

This presents a valuable chance for the table-toppers to familiarize themselves with the Harare pitch, given that the ultimate match will also take place in the capital city of Zimbabwe.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the upcoming pre-tournament cricket match between Sri Lanka and West Indies holds minimal significance as Sri Lanka has already secured their World Cup qualification while West Indies have been eliminated. Sri Lanka, with an unbeaten record and dominant performance, is expected to emerge as the victor. The head-to-head record between the teams in ODIs highlights their fierce rivalry. Key players to watch include Pathum Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne for Sri Lanka, and Brandon King and Shai Hope for West Indies. The match provides Sri Lanka a chance to familiarize themselves with the Harare pitch ahead of the final, despite the West Indies having an advantage in playing all their matches at the venue.