Afghanistan qualifies for the 2023 ODI World Cup

Afghanistan have secured their participation in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup, which will be held in India, following the cancellation of their second ODI against Sri Lanka due to rain. As a result, they received five extra points in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League, bringing their total in the current cycle to 115. The Asian country is now 7th in the standings, with the top eight teams earning direct entry to next year’s 50-over World Cup. On the other side, Sri Lanka’s qualification prospects are still hanging by a thread. With only 67 points, they are tenth in the standings. Sri Lanka just has four matches left to climb the rankings.

They will be trying to pick up 10 points and tie the current series by defeating Afghanistan on Wednesday in Pallekele in what has essentially become a critical match for both teams. Sri Lanka’s good performance could cost the West Indies and South Africa, who are currently ninth and eleventh, respectively. It will not be unexpected to see Sri Lanka knock the West Indies out of the final qualification spot, while South Africa’s opportunity to make a difference is running short. Two of these three teams – Sri Lanka, South Africa, and the West Indies – may be required to compete in the 2023 Cricket World Cup Qualifiers.

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West Indies have played all their 24 games while South Africa have 5 games left all at home; 3 against England and two against the Netherlands. They need to win at least 4 of these 5 to have a chance for direct qualification. This will be Afghanistan’s 3rd straight appearance in the ODI WC after featuring in 2015 and 2019.