Sri Lanka crushed Zimbabwe by a huge margin of 139 runs at Pallekele with Tillakaratne Dilshan's all-round show of scoring 144 and following it up with magical bowling figures of 3-1-4-4! Dilshan struck 144 from 131 balls with 16 fours and a six while his opening partner Upul Tharanga scored 133 from 141 balls with 17 fours as the duo put up a record opening stand of 282 in 44.4 overs! Sri Lanka who were asked to bat first after losing the toss piled up 327 for 6.
Zimbabwe came up with a superb opening start as well thanks to some brilliant hitting from Brendan Taylor. But it was more of a one-man show from Taylor which came to an end in the 25th over. Taylor scored 80 from 72 balls with 9 fours and a six before whipping a slower one from Mathews to mid wicket. Tillakaratne Dilshan triggered a batting collapse with his drifters which almost got him a hat-trick but for a catch being spilled down at slip by Jayawardene.
The minnows were bowled out for 188 in 39 overs with Muralitharan taking 3 wickets and Angelo Mathews taking 2 wickets apart from Dilshan who took 4 in a hurry. Sri Lanka with this victory have entered into the Quarter Finals.
- BV Swagath