Lankans first to last eight

Sri Lanka openers Tillakaratne Dilshan (R) and Upul Tharanga run between the wickets on their way to a huge 282-run stand against Zimbabwe in a World Cup Group A match at the Pallekele Stadium yesterday. It was the highest opening stand for the first wicket in World Cup and fourth highest partnership for any wicket in one-day internationals.

Tillakaratne Dilshan smashed 144 before taking 4-4 to help Sri Lanka beat Zimbabwe by 139 runs and reach the World Cup quarterfinals on Thursday.

In cooperation with fellow opener Upul Tharanga, who hit a career-best 133, Dilshan put on a new World Cup opening stand of 282 to guide Sri Lanka to an imposing 327-6 before a packed 30,000 crowd at Pallekele Stadium.

Zimbabwe made a fighting reply with Brendon Taylor (80) and Regis Chakabva (35) through a solid 116-run start before the innings fell apart, as they lost their last their last nine wickets for just 63 runs.

Dilshan, who bettered his earlier best of 4-29 against India at Dambulla in 2005, also became the 11th all-rounder, and the second Sri Lankan behind Sanath Jayasuriya, to score a hundred and take four wickets in an ODI.

The result meant Sri Lanka, with seven points from five matches in Group A, becomes the first side to enter the last eight.

New Zealand, with six points from four matches, Pakistan (six from four) and defending champions Australia (five from three) are virtually certain of satisfying the three other qualifying places from the group.

Result: Sri Lanka won by 139 runs.
Man-of-the-match: T Dilshan.