Lanka rout Windies with massive nine wicket win

Mumbai, Oct 14 (UNI) Lankan batsmen needed only 14.2 overs to complete the formalities as they ran roughshod over West Indies, winning by nine wickets to top the qualifying group in the last qualifying match of the ICC Champions Trophy played at the Brabourne stadium here today.

Needing a paltry 81 for victory, Sanath Jayasuriya with 45 not out and Mahela Jayawardene with 34 not out took them to victory after they lost Upal Tharanga of the first ball of their innings.

It was Maharoof who was the man of the day for the Lankans as he used the conditions perfectly pitching the ball on the seam and making it move both ways to run through the West Indies batting line up with a carrer best 6-14, as the men from the Carribean were shot out for the lowest score against the Lankans 80 in 30.4 overs.

Sri Lanka with this win will now vie for a place in the semis with New Zealand, South Africa and Pakistan from Group 'B', while West Indies will be placed in Group 'A' on the basis of being the second qualifier and will fight it out with India, Australia and England for a semis spot.

A fiery charged up medium pacer Fervez Maharoof tore through the West Indies batting line up, taking a career best six for 14 as Sri Lanka dismissed the men from the Carribean for their lowest ever one-day score of 80.

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