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Second Innings Bulletin: Pakistan Vs Zimbabwe

Danish Kaneria was greeted by Taylor with a boundary and a single as rain stopped play after 10 overs and 2 balls.

Zimbabwe were 30/3.

10 OVER BULLETIN: Zimbabwe struggle after early blows

Zimbabwe's batsmen Brendan Taylor and Stuart Matsikenyeri struggled to make runs against excellent Pakistani bowling that limited them to 25/3.

One rare boundary to the batters when Matsikenyeri slashed Sami in the 10th over and sent the ball into the third man fence.

Inzamam-ul-Haq caught two at first slip to have zimbabwe hopping at 16/3 in the 6th over.

Haq's second catch was off Mohd Sami's bowling, when he got opener Friday Kasteni out for 9.

5 OVER BULLETIN: Gul strikes twice

Earlier, Pakistan's Umar Gul struck in his first and fifth overs, having Zimbabwe 13/2 after 5 overs.

Gul had opener Sibanda caught by batting hero Imran Nazir for nought second ball.

In his 3rd over, the innings' 5th, Friday Kasteni had a mighty swipe at one on the off stump and ball flew to Inzy at first slip.

Pakistani pacers Umar Gul and Mohd Sami were beating the Zimbabweans regularly and the few runs on offer were singles.

'Keeper Brendan Taylor came in 2-drop and joined Chibhabha.

Zimbabwe were chasing 350 to win in Pakistan's last match of ICC Cricket World Cup 2007.

The Pakistan batting lifted itself in Inzamam-ul-Haq's last ODI match, and the team's last match of ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 to post 359 all out against Zimbabwe.

First Innings Bulletin: Pakistan Vs Zimbabwe

50 OVERS: Pakistan set Zimbabwe 350 to win

Rao Iftikhar picked up Chugimbura in the final over and sent him first into square leg and then mid-wicket for 2 consecutive sixes as Pakistan posted 349 all out -- their highest total ever in ICC Cricket World Cups. Their last highest was 338/5 against Lanka.

Iftikhar hit a 16-ball 32. Pakistan's innings was built around emotion from the death of their coach and the retirement of their captain; and an awesome 160 from Imran Nazir.

Their tailenders accelerated towards the end after a spate of wickets as the slog started.

Pakistan lost their way a little bit with falling wickets wickets, the 8th falling to Brent as Mohd Sami popped one up to square leg where Utseya held on.

Rao Iftikhar and Umar Gul then hit a couple of boundaries in the over, but 350 looked out at that stage. 316/8 after 47.

Fielding superstar Williams dropped Gul at deep square leg, though high it was a sitter. Mpofu was absolutely distraught.

Predictably, Umar smashed the next one through cover for 4.

Pakistan lose their 9th in the 48th over as Chigumbura bowled Gul.

Last man Kaneria began with a delicate glide to a full toss on leg for four.

Pakistan 328/9 after 48.

45 OVER BULLETIN: Pakistan 298/7

Imran Nazir went past the highest score ever made in the Caribbean, 152 by Dessie Haynes before falling for 160 off 121 balls with 14 4s and 8 6s.

He was caught brilliantly by Stuart Matsikenyeri off Mpofu tryng to lift another one out of the ground as Pakistan were 298/7 with 5 overs remaining.

Shahid Afridi was bowled round his legs by Brent for 6 and Mohd Sami came in to join Imran Nazir who was at that point powering his way to a possible double hundred.

Pakistan were 285/6 in the 44th over.

Nazir brought up his 150 off 116 balls in the 43rd over as Pakistan looked to a total of around 350.

He took only 17 balls to get from 100 to 150.

At the other end, Afridi put his foot down the wicket and sent one into the stands of long-off.

He came in after Younis Khan was run out as Pakistan began the slog overs.

In the 41st over, Nazir lofted one to long on where Chigumbura caught it but took one step too many and began to fall over.

Cleverly, he threw the ball back into play as he fell, but it was declared six as he touched the rope.

Nazir was blazing away at 147 off 112 balls and crashed the next one for four.

No let-up for Zimbabwe.

40 OVER BULLETIN: Pakistan charge

Pakistan went past 250, reaching 251/4 at the end of 40.

Imran Nazir hit a 95-ball hundred and Pakistan crossed 200 after losing 4 wickets, in the 36th over.

Nazir smashed 11 fours and 2 sixes in his innings and was joined by Younis Khan as Pakistan approached the slog.

Younis lifted Mpofu into long-on for a six to bring up 200.

The Pakistanis were charging almost every ball by the 38th over.

They hit two fours and six pf Mpfofu's 7th over to post the 50-run partnership in 42 balls.

That over brought 18 runs.

Nazir cracked two sixes off Utseya and another the next over from Williams followed by a late cut to reach 134 with 13 fourss and six 6s.

238/4

35 OVER BULLETIN: Zimbabwe slow Pakistan with wickets as Nazir approaches century

Zimbabwe landed two quick blows, getting first Inzy and then Mohd Younus to slow Pakistan's charge..

After 35, Pakistan were 196/4.

Imran Nazir was the hero of the innings, and batting on 99 off 94 balls.

Earlier, Gary Brent saw Friday Kasteni floor a skier from Imran Nazir at deep square leg and then the next ball did it all alone, having Mohd Yousuf caught and bowled for 3. Katseni, 17 years old, looked sheepish but relieved greatly as he ran it to join the celebrations.

Pakistan were 170/4 and this brought in Younis Khan.

30 OVER BULLETIN: Farewell, Inzy

Mohammad Yousuf came out and Pakistan were 168/3 after 30 overs.

Opener Imran Nazir had a run-a-ball 81.

Inzamam-ul-Haq, winner of ICC Cricket World Cup 1992, captain of Pakistan and one of the modern greats of cricket, ended his final innings, caught Williams bowled Mupariwa for 37.

He wept as he left the Sabina Park ground and the crowd stood to applaud.

Pakistan 159/3 after 28.

Earlier, Nazir continued the bludgeoning of Zimbabwe's slow bowlers as he hit a six (6th of the innings) and a four off successive Utseya balls in the 27th.

Pakistan charging along, 156/2 after 27.

Justice Chibhabha's one-over spell came to an end and Utseya brought on Tawanda Mupariwa to bowl the 26th, whom Inzy belted for another six, his third in an innings so far of 28 balls.

25 OVER BULLETIN: Inzy in full cry

Justice Chibhabha was welcomed into the ICC Cricket World Cup with 2 boundaries as Pakistan raced to 137/2 after 25 overs.

Captain Prosper Utseya bowled a superb 25th over to Inzy, keeping him in check as the Pakistan captain, on 28 and sharing a partnership fast approaching 50, looked to hitting him out of the attack.

Earlier Shoaib Malik hit a 50 as he and Inzy took Pakistan past the 100 mark for the loss of 2 wickets.

Malik took 57 balls for his 50, hitting six 4s and a six.

Playing his swansong, Inzy hit two sixes, launching both Utseya and Williams into the stands with effortless power.

After 22, Pakistan were 115/2.

20 OVER BULLETIN: Inzy steps out for the last time

The final power play ended with Pakistan on 98/2.

Inzamam-ul-Haq began his final innings in ODI cricket with an edgy shot for 2 off Mpofu as he joined Nazir after the loss of 2 wickets.

Nazir was flying along, hitting a glorious square drive in the 19th over to reach 48 from 52 balls.

Pakistan's 2nd wicket partnership posted 52 from 63 balls before Zimbabwe captain Prosper Utseya made a bowling change that brought success.

Spinner Sean Williams came on to bowl the 18th over and after seeing Shoaib Malik charge him, dropped it in short. Malik was faced between an out-of-position shot and a stumping. He chose the former and popped it up gently to point where Chigumbura took a lollipop.

Enter Inzy in his final ODI match.

15 OVER BULLETIN: Pakistan power along

Shoaib Malik took 12 balls to get off the mark before getting in the act to take Pakistan to 72/1 after 15.

He hit a lofted on-drive in the 15th for 4 off Mpofu.

In the 14th over, Brent bowled a wide one that keeper Brendan Taylor was unable to stop and that went for 4 wides.

In the same over, Malik first skied one for a couple to long-on and then picked Brent cleanly up and sent him into the stands between mid-wicket and long-on for six, taking Pakistan to 67/1.

Christ Mpofu came back in the 13th over and opened with a snorter that startled Malik, who got off the mark on his 13th ball.

That also brought up the Pakistan 50, slow going for a team containing some explosive batsmen.

Imran Nazir opened his shoulders to hit a couple of boundaries off wicket-taker Chigumbura in the 11th over.

His first was streaky, a big off drive that got an edge and flew to third-man falling just short of the fielder before going over the ropes.

His second was a lofted drive that was cleanly hit and cleared the infield.

In the next over, Gary Brent's first, Nazir played a wild swing-and-a-miss before getting his foot out of the way the next ball and sending it into mid-wicket for six.

Brent almost had him with the last ball of the over, which jagged back into a defensive Nazir and hit him on the pads but the umpire felt it was going down leg.

Pakistan were 49/1 after 12.

10 OVER BULLETIN: Zimbabwe dictates pace

Zimbabwe bowled three maidens in their first 10 overs and fielded brilliantly to have Pakistan 34/1 after 10 overs.

Pakistan's opening troubles continued as makeshift opener Kamran Akmal went caught behind off Chigumbura for 15 to leave Pakistan 31/1 in the 7th over.

Chigumbura troubled Akmal in his first over, hitting him once (and then again on the hand in the second over) before inducing a snick in his second.

Shoaib Malik came in at No 3 to join Imran Nazir.

5 OVER BULLETIN: New opening pair builds for Pakistan

Pakistan were off to a slow start as Zimbabwe's crisp fielding kept them at bay in the first couple of overs, but settled to hit 25/0 after 5.

Chris Mpofu's first over was a maiden, though opener Akmal hit three fine shots off the middle of his bat to point.

Sean Williams was outstanding at that position.

The first boundary was struck by Nazir in the 3rd over, a cover drive.

A second boundary came in that over, a square cut that beat Williams, and 14 came off the over in all.

Elton Chigumbura was brought in first change and troubled Akmal immediately with a short one.

His next ball, good length off stump, invited a slash that got a fine edge and went to third man for four.

'Keeper Kamran Akmal opened with Imran Nazir as Pakistan tried to settle their opener woes.

Inzy also brought in hard-hitting Shahid Afridi and leggie Danish Kaneria for Pakistan's match against Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe captain Prosper Utseya won the toss and asked Pakistan to bat.

Already knocked out after two defeats, Pakistan's last game of ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 was also the farewell match for one of the modern greats.

Inzamam-ul-Haq, who won the ICC Cricket World Cup in 1992, will play his 379th match. Inzy has scored 83 half-centuries and 10 centuries.

Pakistan have the opportunity to revive team morale, which has suffered after a loss to unfancied Ireland and the tragic death of coach Bob Woolmer.

Rahul was backing me, I had to deliver: Sehwag

AFP

India captain Rahul Dravid breathed a sigh of relief that under-fire batsman Virender Sehwag made a timely return to form with a century against Bermuda.

Sehwag, who was dropped down the order to number three, had made just one half-century in his last 14 matches before Monday's 257-run win against Bermuda and was facing mounting calls for him to be dropped.

But Dravid stuck by the player and Sehwag responded in style with an 87-ball 114 with three sixes and 17 fours.

"Viru (Sehwag) is a very good player and I'm happy he's part of my team -- a key member. He's back in form just when we need him before a very critical match," said Dravid.

Sehwag was named man-of-the-match after scoring his eighth hundred, but first in nearly two years.

"The effort he has put in is fantastic. All credit to him. We expect a lot from him. He has been picked to score more than one hundred for us," said Dravid.

Sehwag said a big innings from him was long overdue.

"I had the confidence. I knew the captain, coach and selectors were backing me and I had to deliver," he said.

"I was waiting for just one innings. It was due for a long time. Thank God, it has come at the right time. So I am happy with my performance."

India, who suffered a shock five-wicket defeat against Bangladesh in their opening Group B game, still need to beat Sri Lanka on Friday to boost their chances of advancing to the Super Eight stage.

Canada sends New Zealand to bat

GROS ISLET, St. Lucia (AP) - Canada won the toss Thursday and sent New Zealand in to bat in their Cup Group C match at the Cricket World Cup.

New Zealand has already qualified for the Super 8 round with victories over England and Kenya, while winless Canada is out of contention.

New Zealand made three changes to its lineup. Batsman Peter Fulton made his first World Cup start as a replacement for Ross Taylor, who strained his right hamstring in the 148-run win over Kenya on Tuesday.

Daryl Tuffey replaced rested fast bowler Shane Bond and spinner Jeetan Patel was recalled for paceman James Franklin.

The game is the last for for Canadian coach Andy Pick, who announced he is stepping down after the tournament because of a breakdown in contract negotiations.

Canada made two changes, with bowlers Henry Osinder and Kevin Sandher coming in for Desmond Chumney and George Codrington.

The match is likely to be a farewell for 40-year-old Anderson Cummins and 38-year-old Sunil Dhaniram of the Canadian squad.

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Cricket World Cup 2007: India vs. Sri Lanka Preview

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Sri Lanka trounces Bangladesh By SANDEEP NAKAI

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PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (AP) - Sanath Jayasuriya scored 109 in an injury interrupted innings and led Sri Lanka into the Super 8s with a 198-run win Wednesday over Bangladesh at the World Cup.

Kumar Sangakkara (56) and Chamara Silva (52) also hit half-centuries and skipper Mahela Jayawardene contributed 46 in Sri Lanka's 318 for four in 50 overs after being sent in to bat.

Bangladesh was bowled out 112, chasing a revised target of 311 after a 30-minute rain delay.

Sri Lanka has guaranteed a place in the next round with two wins ahead of its last Group B match against India.

Bangladesh, which upset India by five wickets in its opener, has to beat Bermuda and lift its run-rate to retain a chance of advancing.

"We focused on playing smart cricket. It was about getting a good start and that was provided by Jayasuriya," Jayawardene said. "We're happy with what we've achieved today. But we cannot relax.

"I see a big game against India on Friday - we want to win this one, too."

Points from wins in the group stage over other teams that advance to the second round are carried forward to the Super 8s, giving Sri Lanka added incentive to try and knock India out of the tournament.

"We've played really well. We deserve to carry the two points into Super 8s," he said. "We don't want any of the teams to do that."

Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar said Jayasuriya was outstanding, but his lineup let itself down.

"We didn't bowl well today. Our fielding fell short of the mark - and we need to field really well against the big teams," he said. "It was a bad game for us - we fielded badly, we lost early wickets, nothing went right."

Jayasuriya, in his fifth World Cup and a veteran of Sri Lanka's champion 1996 team, shared a 98-run stand with Upul Tharanga and then 39 for the second with Jayawardene before he had to retire hurt with cramps on 83 - one over after a 30-minute rain delay.

He returned at the fall of the third wicket - Sangakkara - in the 45th over and reached his second World Cup century and 24th in one-day internationals.

Bangladesh was sloppy in the field, dropping three catches and missing at least three run-out chances, well beneath its standard in the win over India on Saturday.

Jayasuriya hit four sixes and four boundaries as he raced to 50 off 43 balls, reaching his half century with consecutive sixes of left-arm spinner Abdur Razzaq.

His hit seven sixes and seven fours from 87 balls until Razzaq had him caught in the covers by Bangladesh skipper Habibul Bashar.

Bangladesh's run chase faltered from the start when Sri Lanka paceman Chaminda Vaas trapped Shahriar Nafees (0) lbw on the fifth ball. Vaas returned 1-11 in seven overs.

Lasith Malinga took 3-27 with his slingy fast bowling to lead the Sri Lanka bowlers as only three Bangladeshi batsman reached double figures.

Mohammad Ashraful finished unbeaten on 45, while Bashar was run out for 18 and Aftab Ahmed was caught by Jayasuriya off Malinga for 12.

Second Innings Bulletin: New Zealand Vs Canada

After being a respectable 188/3, Canada crumbled to 207/6 at the end of the 40th over.

Scott Stryis began the collapse by bowling Ian Billcliff immediately after he had completed his half-century. Billcliff, who batted very sensibly, seemed to have lost concentration after reaching the landmark and Styris benefited from it.

Daniel Vettori then picked up his third scalp trapping Ashif Mulla right in front. Mulla, who made a good half-century against England, planted his front foot down the wicket to a ball that pitched in line and the umpire had no hesitation in lifting the finger.

The 6th wicket belonged entirely to Lou Vincent. Abdool Samad failed to regain his crease at the non-striker's end as Vincent hit the stumps from covers.

Vettori put an end to a spirited 78 run partnership between Ashish Bagai and Billcliff. Bagai advanced down the wicket to Vettori and tried to smash him but in the process yorked himself as the ball crashed into the stumps. Bagai's dismissal left Canada at 188/3 after 35 overs and with a huge mountain to climb if he entertained any hopes of chasing down New Zealand's score.

Bagai and Billcliff put together a good stand for the 3rd wicket. Canada's batsmen gave a good account of themselves, reaching a respectable 162/2 in 30 overs. Scott Styris was introduced into the bowling attack in the 30th over and kept things tight at his end.

Vettori picked up a wicket in his very first over, getting rid off Geoff Barnett for 40. The Canada opener fell to the guile of Vettori who bowled a quick arm ball, which Barnett edged to Brendon McCullum.

Canada were 131/2 after 25 overs and it seemed as if they had given up the chase.

Jeetan Patel and Jacob Oram bowled some very tight overs as the Canada's innings lost momentum. They reached 109/1 after 20 overs. Ashish Bagai managed to score only 6 runs from 24 balls while Barnett was batting on 40 after facing 70 balls.

Canada slowed down considerably after the exit of their skipper John Davison. They were still a healthy 98/1 after 15 overs.

Barnett continued to get the odd boundary but the absence of Davison was definitely reflected on the run rate. Ashish Bagai joined Barnett at the crease replacing his skipper but was finding it difficult to keep the runs flowing.

After being thrashed for plenty of boundaries by Davison, Michael Mason got his revenge sending back the Canada skipper caught and bowled for 53. Canada reached 77/1 at the end of 10 overs.

New Zealand could have got the other opener too but McCullum could not hang on to a difficult chance offered by Barnett off Daryl Tuffey's bowling. The bowler had even begun to celebrate but soon realised that the ball was not in the keeper's hand.

Davison smashed a half-century off only 23 balls as Canada made a great start to their innings. He was especially severe on Mason plundering 23 runs of Mason's 2nd over as Canada raced to 52/0 in 5 overs. Davison hit Mason for four consecutive 4s and then another one of the last ball of the over.

The Kiwi opening bowler had to rue the fact that he clean bowled Davison in his first over but off a no ball.

At the other end, Geoff Barnett also played his part picking up a couple of boundaries from a Tuffey over.

Canada are chasing New Zealand's mammoth total of 363/5.

Second Innings Bulletin: The Netherlands Vs Scotland

Dutch toast Scots

Ryan ten Doeschate was the only Dutch bowler without a wicket, but he more than made amends with a 68-ball 70* as The Netherlands crushed Scotland by 8 wickets.

Bas Zuiderent was also unbeaten on 43 and put on 100 runs with ten Doeschate for the 3rd wicket.

The Scottish attack was competent but just did not have the runs to bowl at and succumbed as boundaries leaked through an attacking field.

Both teams leave ICC Cricket World Cup 2007, and South Africa and Australia go through from the group.

20 OVER BULLETIN: Dutch survive close shaves

The Netherlands's ace batsmen both survived close LBW appeals and took their country past 100 in their match against Scotland.

ten Doeschate was caught on the back pad by Dougie Brown who was denied, as was spinner Majid Haq who rapped Zuiderent as he wandered down the pitch.

Amid all the excitement, the two continued to hit boundaries through an attacking field.

The Dutch were 104/2 after 20, only 33 away from a famous win.

Zuiderent, who opened the innings, was on 34; two-drop ten Doeschate was on 44.

15 OVER BULLETIN: Endgame for Scotland

Bas Zuiderent and ten Doeschate were doing it easily for The Netherlands as Scotland struggled to either get wickets or stem the haemorrhage of runs.

Time was running quickly out for the Scots and after 15 overs the Dutch were 76/2, way over the asking rate and needing only 61 more to beat the Scots.

Better, their best batsmen were at the crease.

Zuiderent was on 26 and ten Doeschate on 22.

The Netherlands were 61/2 after 12 overs when lunch was taken.

10 OVER BULLETIN: Flying Dutchmen

The Dutch were rushing towards the Scottish total of 136 but lost two wickets to their attacking play.

Bas Zuiderent and ten Doeschate were playing with ease, and hitting boundaries as Scotland tried to defend a meagre total.

A shot in the 10th over was typical: ten Doeschate swiveled around to send wicket-taker Blain to the square leg fence.

With few runs to defend, the Scots tried attacking and had two slips and a couple of catchers at short cover and short mid-wicket..

Unfortunately for them, with an attack that had little teeth, the Dutch just eased the ball through the inner circle and collected boundaries.

Of a total of 61/2 after 10, the Dutch had 12 boundaries compared to 1 that the Scots had in their first 10.

Earlier, Szwarczynski hit some of the best strokes of the match before slogging Blain and skying the ball to 'keeper Smith.

He made 12, all of which came in boundaries.

He was replaced by The Netherlands's best batsman, ten Doeschate.

5 OVER BULLETIN: Dutch one down but comfortable

The Dutch began their chase of Scotland's 136 in style with boundaries from both openers before losing their first wicket.

They were 32/1 after 5.

They lost Darron Reekers who lobbed one from John Blain to mid-off where he was caught by Wright for 9.

Reekers had pulled Hoffmann for a 4 in the first over and then Bas Zuiderent crashed Blain twice through covers to take them to 18/0 after 3.

It wasn't all easy, Blain bowled a couple of jaffas to Zuiderent, the first hitting him on the gloves.

Eric Szwarczynski came one drop to join Zuiderent and hit three 4s. His second was a cover drive on one knee off Hoffmann and then next ball a jab which went rocketing through mid-on.

The Netherlands had a great chance to win a match at ICC Cricket World Cup 2007, after bowling Scotland out for 136.

Inzy: I will miss everything about this game

An emotional Inzamam-ul-Haq said farewell to ODI cricket on Wednesday.

"I am going to miss everything. The grounds, the dressing room… this game," he said.

In tears, he spoke of the coach Pakistan lost on Sunday. "Thanks to Bob. We dedicate this win to him. He was a wonderful person and our elder."

"Every Pakistani and every cricket lover and every man is sad about him," he said.

Of his retirement from ODI cricket, Inzy said: "We are emotional about this game and definitely when you play 17 years you are emotional."

"I thank the people who supported me through my career. But in the end I could not give them a good result..."

He thanked also his father and his children "for supporting me through good times and bad."

Losing captain Prosper Utseya praised the Pakistanis saying they played like "they had nothing to lose."

"It's going to be a big challenge" for his nation after the ICC Cricket World Cup, he said.

"If we get to play more games and more exposure we will try and stick with the same team" for the next ICC Cricket World Cup, he said.

Man of the Match Imran Nazir, who hit 160, the highest ODI score in the West Indies, said the pitch at Sabina Park was much better than the one on which they played Ireland.

"That pitch was wet and seaming," he said. He praised his captain and said "we are all upset because of all that has happened."

"We will miss Inzamam," he said, "and I will miss Bob."

India in make-or-break clash with Lanka

AFP

India are determined to ward off the spectre of an early exit and its repercussions as they gear up for their do-or-die clash with Sri Lanka in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007.

India failed to do justice to their stature in the opening game when they suffered a shock five-wicket defeat against Bangladesh, leaving millions of their fans back home in a state of despair.

They thrashed debutants Bermuda by a record 257 runs in their second game of the four-team group, but that was not enough to put them in a comfortable frame of mind ahead of their final match Friday.

"I don't want to say there is no pressure. There is. It's a very important game and the whole country is looking for India to win," India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh told reporters here.

"We know it's an important task before the team. We have to step forward from here and get in to Super Eight. Everybody knows it. We are all focused. The boys are working hard."

Sri Lanka are the team in form, having won both of their matches against Bangladesh and Bermuda by big margins. Bangladesh still have a chance to qualify for the next round as they take on Bermuda in their last game.

The top two sides will advance to the next round.

A defeat against Sri Lanka will be hard to swallow for fans in cricket-crazy country, expecting their team to win the ICC Cricket World Cup. The loss against Bangladesh has already sparked unrest in some parts of the country.

But India have the past to draw inspiration from as they began their campaign on an unimpressive note in 2003 in South Africa before storming into the final against eventual winners Australia.

They have managed to solve one of their major batting problems ahead of the vital match after hard-hitting opener Virender Sehwag's return to the big-scoring ways.

Sehwag, who had just one half-century in 14 one-dayers before the Bermuda match, slammed an 87-ball 114. It was his first hundred in nearly two years.

India may have won eight of their last 10 one-dayers against Sri Lanka at home, but will have to raise their performance in the crucial game considering their rivals' current form.

"It's a big game for all of us and we are looking forward to it. The game will ensure who's going to carry two points into the next round," said Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardene.

"We are not concentrating on this round alone, but have to think about the next round as well. It's always good to carry two points."

The two teams have clashed 94 times in one-day internationals, with India winning 49 matches and losing 36. The remaining nine games ended in no-results.

Sri Lanka gave disciplined performances in both the matches as their batsmen and bowlers never allowed their opponents to settle down.

Their batting bloomed, with Sanath Jayasuriya scoring an explosive century against Bangladesh. Kumar Sangakkara and Chamara Silva have made two successive half-centuries, while Jayawardene scored 85 and 46 in two matches.