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Sri Lanka romp home with ease
RAWALPINDI, Pakistan, Oct 9 (AFP) - Sri Lanka crushed Zimbabwe by seven wickets here Saturday to virtually guarantee their place in the final of the triangular series against hosts Pakistan.

The Sri Lankans skittled the Zimbabweans for 104 and then romped home for 108-3 in just over 18 overs to leave the Africans needing a miracle if they are to progress to the October 16 final.

Zimbabwe, who have just one point from three matches, now must pull off an unlikely victory with a bonus point against Sri Lanka on Monday. They must also hope Pakistan beat Sri Lanka with a bonus point when the two teams meet in their last league match in Lahore on October 14, to have any chance of making the final.

Sri Lanka had notched 56 by lunch, losing Saman Jayantha for 21. After the interval, Sanath Jayasuriya hit Chigumbura for a six and two boundaries but the Zimbabwean avenged the assault by bowling Jayasuriya off the fourth delivery for 40. Tillakaratne Dilshan, promoted to gain some practice, hit the winning boundary to finish at 26 not out.

Earlier Sri Lanka's four-pronged pace attack shared two wickets apiece while leg-spinner Upul Chandana returned with best figures of 3-15 as the Africans collapsed in just 33 overs. Stuart Matsikenyeri with 37 and Dion Ebrahim with 24 not out offered some resistance in an otherwise disappointing batting display.

Zimbabwe, weakened by the sacking of 15 white players who rebelled against their country's selection policies in April this year, lost their last nine wickets for just 50 runs in windy conditions.

Pacer Nuwan Zoysa forced an edge from opener Brendon Taylor for wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara to take a straightforward catch in the fourth over.

Taylor's opening partner Matsikenyeri hit seven boundaries in his rapid 37 to take his team past 50. But first change Farveez Maharoof struck twice within the space of one run, bowling Matsikenyeri and then had Vusimuzi Sibanda for 7 to trigger the collapse.

Ebrahim, who watched wickets falling like nine pins at the other end, added 17 for the fourth wicket with Mark Vermeulen before pacer Dilhara Fernando dimissed Vermeulen with a slow delivery for 7.

To add to Zimbabwe's woes, spearhead Chaminda Vaas returned for his second spell to dismiss last hope for the African side when he had skipper Tatenda Taibu out for nought and Mluleki Nkala for 1 in successive overs.

Leg-spinner Upul Chandana matched Vaas's double strike with the wickets of Elton Chigumbura (1) and Tinashe Panyangara (2) to leave Zimbabwe reeling at 84-8.

Ebrahim took them past 100 mark before Chandana wrapped up the innings by dismissing Edward Rainsford. Sri Lanka is due to play another match against Zimbabwe at the same venue Monday before taking on Pakistan in the last league match on October 14.

Pakistan, who beat Zimbabwe twice and Sri Lanka once in this series, have already qualified for October 16 final scheduled for Lahore.

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