Sports

Zimbabwe Cricket's Poor Showing At World Cup Boosts Sri Lanka Prospects

Sri Lankan bowler Nuwan Kulasekara, center, runs along with Zimbabwe's batsmen Brendan Taylor, left, and Regis Chakabva during the Cricket World Cup match between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe in Pallekele, Sri Lanka, Thursday, March 10, 2011. (AP Photo/Eranga J

Zimbabwe’s chances of reaching the quarter finals of the cricket World Cup dwindled after a 139-run loss to hosts Sri Lanka at Pallekale international Cricket Stadium in Kandy on Thursday

Zimbabwe’s chances of reaching the quarter finals of the International Cricket World Cup have dwindled following the side's 139-run loss to hosts Sri Lanka at Pallekale International Cricket Stadium in Kandy on Thursday.

Sri Lanka posted 327 runs which Zimbabwe chased but failed to better, posting only 188 runs. Sri Lanka earned 7 points from 5 matches played within Group A.

Zimbabwean captain Elton Chigumbura won the toss and put Sri Lanka in to bat first chosing to field instead. Sri Lanka openers Thilakaretne Dilshan and Upul Tharanga posted an 282 runs for the first wicket, setting an ICC World Cup record.

Cricket commentator Brian Goredema told VOA Studio 7 reporter Marvellous Mhlanga-Nyahuye that Zimbabwe must now hope for a mathematical miracle to reach the quarter finals with only two matches to go in the series.