The decision of the second ODI between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan will directly affect Sri Lanka's automatic qualification for next year's World Cup. After this no decision game at Pallekele Sri Lanka will take only one Super League point from this match. Sri Lanka have one more ODI against Afghanistan tomorrow.
For Afghanistan, who had been on 110 Super League points before this match, a five-point gain (the number you are awarded for a no-result) on the table, takes them a step closer to automatic qualification.
In fact, they have now effectively ensured their spot at the World Cup, barring points deductions. Sri Lanka have to play one game against Afghanistan and three games against New Zealand in next year March in New Zealand.
Beating New Zealand in New Zealand is not an easy task. Sri Lanka is lying in 10th position while Ireland also ahead of Sri Lanka in ninth position. South Africa already in 11th place followed by Zimbabwe and Netherlands. In addition South Africa have to play another ten matches at this Super League tournament to qualify for the World Cup.
The ICC points table up to November 27: India, England, New Zealand, Australia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan and West Indies are in first eight places while Ireland, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Netherlands are fighting for the direct qualification.
According to a cricket expert Sri Lanka are very unlikely to get direct qualification now and the team has realized this situation and get ready for the next ODI World Cup. Sri Lanka had a good chance to enter the direct qualification but no decision in the second game created big disappointment.
However Sri Lanka are well-placed to make a comeback in the series, but the best they can hope for now is a drawn affair.
It also means their hopes of automatic qualification for next year's World Cup dwindle further. Meanwhile Sri Lanka Cricket plan to end the series on a winning note tomorrow before the Sri Lanka New Zealand series next March.
A senior official of the SLC said we had good chance to beat Afghanistan in the first game but our bowlers didn't perform well while batters were able to chase 294 and they had to be satisfied with 234 in 38 overs. They maintain good run rate from the beginning but early wickets down were the main reason to struggle early.
Sri Lanka team yesterday got a rest but they will resume their training today to focus on final ODI tomorrow. Meanwhile Afghanistan team management is highly satisfied about team preparations.
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