Today it is the 39 match of ICC world cup. It is between Sri Lanka and new Zealand match. Sri Lanka win is very important for Pakistan.If Sri Lanka defeats New Zealand, then Pakistan will be replaced in the semi-finals. Pakistan has full hope on Sri Lanka.That they will take Pakistan to the semi-finals.New Zealand lose for Sri Lanka very important of Pakistan team. Sri Lanka batsmen will have to struggle and work hard in today's match.If New Zealand wins this match, Pakistan will have to play with the run rate to win the match.And it will be very difficult for Pakistan.
Today's match is very important for three teams Sri Lanka, Pakistan and New Zealand. Sri Lanka wants to win today's match and stay in the top 8 of the points table. On the other hand, if New Zealand wins today's match by a big margin, the semi-final is almost guaranteed for them. Because the New Zealand team is in a much better position than Pakistan in terms of net run rate.
New Zealand won the toss and decided to field. New Zealand's bowlers picked up three wickets very quickly in the beginning. But they are giving plenty of runs. In 7 overs, Sri Lanka lost three wickets and collected 61 runs. Experienced bowlers like Tim Southee gave 35 runs in three overs and Boult took two wickets with 26 runs in 4 overs. The outfield is very fast today. If you stay at the crease on this pitch it is possible to collect more than 300 easily.
Despite losing three wickets, Kushal Perera is batting brilliantly today. He scored a fifty off just 22 balls. This is the fastest fifty by Sri Lankan batsmen. Sri Lanka's run rate is very good. But they lost wickets very quickly. Sri Lankan batsmen should have batted carefully at the beginning of the innings. The three top order batsmen returned to the dressing room with a total of 9 runs. Sri Lanka's run rate is good so far as Kusal Perera is playing well. But if Perera is out I think Sri Lankan Duttong will drop badly. Perera should play carefully. Perera should try to stay at the crease now.
Edit : Asalanka was out by Boult's delivery. Australia lost their fourth wicket by 70 runs. Now if Perera doesn't stay at the crease, I doubt Sri Lankan team will be able to collect 200 runs.
Sri Lanka team will be defeated badly in today's match as well. I did not expect to see such bad batting from the Sri Lankan batsmen on this pitch. I thought the match would be very competitive. And Sri Lanka will provide more than 300 targets. But even though they batted at a smart strike rate from the beginning of the innings, they lost wickets very quickly. The team lost 6 of their top order batsmen in just 18 overs. And Sri Lanka collected 105 runs in 18 overs. If Dhananjaya De Silva can't play big innings then Sri Lanka's innings won't be big either. Dhananjaya De Silva needs to bat responsibly and stay at the crease.