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The much awaited ICC Championship Trophy started off with Sri Lanka beating Bangladesh by a mere 37 runs in the First Qualifying match being played at PCA Stadium Mohali, Chandigarh. Whereas Zimbabwe faced a humiliating defeat at the hands of West Indies.
The Qualifying Round involving 4 teams Sri Lanka, West Indies, Zimbabwe & Bangladesh will have to play three matches each and the top two will advance to join Australia, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, England & South Africa in the Main tournament, all matches are day & night affairs.
In the first match, Bangladesh won the toss and elected to field first, on a placid wicket Sri Lanka with the help of their opener Upul Tharanga’s century and a steady 40 by Atapattu posted a handsome total of 302 for 8 in the allotted 50 overs.
Bangladesh’s skipper Habibul Bashar looked as if he was mistaken not to bat first after winning the toss, as his team was in no trouble chasing 300 plus runs. Middle order stylish batsman Saqibul Hasan played a fine innings of 69 not out to see his team through but was short of partners otherwise the result would have been different.
In the second match being played at Motera Stadium Gujarat, newly built Zimbabwean team were bundled out for a poor 85 runs against some fine bowling by the West Indians, it was a cakewalk for Lara & his men with the in form Chris Gayle leading the charge.
Next Sri Lanka will take on Zimbabwe for the third match on 10tth October.
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Javed Ali, YaHind Sports