The illustrious Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo Stadium has been selected as the distinguished venue to host match number 11 of the exhilarating ICC World Cup Qualifiers, featuring a fierce clash between Sri Lanka and Oman.
With a stroke of good fortune, Sri Lanka emerged triumphant in the previous round of this grueling qualification, overcoming the formidable United Arab Emirates. The mighty Lions now bask in the glory of a three-match winning streak, fueling their fervent desire to extend their dominant form in this crucial encounter.
Oman, on the other hand, displayed an exceptional resurgence after suffering consecutive losses to Zimbabwe and Nepal earlier in the qualifying round. Rallying their spirits, the Oman squad staged a remarkable comeback, securing impressive victories against Ireland and the UAE. Their resounding triumph against the UAE showcased their unwavering determination, as they achieved a breathtaking victory with an awe-inspiring margin of five wickets. The top bookmakers in India have fantastic ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier odds with them.
A.Llyas and S. Khan have ignited a blazing inferno with their awe-inspiring performances, leaving the cricketing realm awestruck and playing pivotal roles in propelling their teams to glorious triumphs. Furthermore, the spinner J. Odedra has emerged as an invaluable jewel for Oman, exemplifying his true worth by masterfully claiming crucial wickets. Meanwhile, the dynamic pace duo of B. Khan and F. Butt have been nothing less than sensational, orchestrating a methodical deconstruction of the opposition's formidable batting lineup.
B Khan is expected to start against Sri Lanka.
Predicted Lineup: Zeeshan Maqsood, Kashyap Prajapati, Ayaan Khan, Mohammad Nadeem, Shoaib Khan, Naseem Khushi (wk), Fayyaz Butt, B Khan, Jay Odedra, Jatinder Singh, Aqib Ilyas
Kusal Mendis's resurgence marked a remarkable turnaround for Sri Lanka. Alas, apart from the triumphant trio of Mendis, Samarawickrama, and Karunaratne, the remaining batsmen have failed to rise to the occasion, falling short of unleashing their true potential on the field. Unfazed by adverse circumstances, Hasaranga has showcased his unwavering prowess, snatching pivotal wickets with astonishing consistency. His ability to excel even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges is a testament to his remarkable talent and resilience.
M Pathirana is expected to start against Oman.
Predicted Lineup: Pathum Nissanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Mahesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, M Pathirana
With the much-anticipated clash on the horizon, Sri Lanka emerges as the undisputed frontrunner, exuding an air of invincibility. The dynamic duo of M. Theekshana and W. Hasaranga from Sri Lanka poses an imposing challenge for their opponents in Oman. Theekshana has been in scintillating form in recent months, taking 18 wickets in his last five ODIs, while Hasaranga is the leading wicket-taker in the world in T20Is, with 116 wickets to his name. On the contrary, Oman has grappled with inconsistencies in their bowling unit. Their leading wicket-taker in ODIs, Bilal Khan, has been in poor form, and they will need Zeeshan Maqsood to step up if they are to challenge Sri Lanka. Zeeshan is a capable all-rounder, and he will need to contribute with both bat and ball if Oman is to have any chance of winning.