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We want to finish the tournament undefeated – Karunaratne

07 Jul 2023 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}      

Sri Lanka are eyeing an undefeated end to their ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier campaign, batsman Dimuth Karunaratne said, despite already having qualified for the showpiece event later this year.
Sri Lanka qualified for the punched their ticket to the Cricket World Cup last Sunday, after their nine-wicket win over Zimbabwe meant they progressed to the final of the Qualifier.  


They will face West Indies in their last Super Six match today, before playing the Netherlands in the final on Sunday.
“We want to play the same team but we have some issues with a few players. We haven’t decided on the final XI but we are here to win the match, and we want to finish this tournament undefeated,” Karunaratne, who is the captain of the Test team, also said.
While Sri Lanka have been unbeaten in this tournament, winning six out of six, West Indies’ campaign has almost been a polar opposite.
They will not feature at a Cricket World Cup for the first time in its history, after they were eliminated from contention for a spot in the final, losing their opening two Super Six round matches.


Karunaratne said Sri Lanka that made the West Indies more dangerous as the Caribbean side looked to end their campaign on a high.
“They also want to end this tournament on a high note. We know how good the West Indies is, and even though some of their players have flown back to West Indies they are still good enough players to give us a challenge,” Karunaratne added.
Former captain Jason Holder and Alzarri Joseph have returned home to manage their work load as the West Indies prepares for a home series against India.
Sri Lanka’s campaign has heavily relied on the team’s bowlers with Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana being among the wickets – the former the tournament’s leading wicket taker with 20 scalps, while Theekshana has 13.
Dilshan Madushanka has also impressed since coming into the squad for Dushmantha Chameera, with four wickets in two matches, at an economy rate of 4.41.