NEW DELHI: Sri Lanka became the first team to qualify for the World Cup quarterfinals Thursday after an emphatic victory over Zimbabwe that virtually ensures last eight spots for New Zealand and Pakistan. The joint host now has seven points from five games in Group A, one clear of New Zealand and Pakistan. Defending champion Australia, also almost certain to qualify, has five points. Zimbabwe won the toss and chose to field in front of passionate home support at Pallekele but the decision backfired as Upul Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan put on 282 for the first wicket on the way to a total of 327-6. It was the fourth-highest stand for any wicket in a One-Day International and demolished the mark for the highest first wicket partnership in a World Cup of 194 made by Pakistan's Saeed Anwar and Wajahatullah Wasti against New Zealand in Manchester in 1999. Tharanga was eventually out for 133, caught by Elton Chigumbura off Chris Mpofu in the 45th over and Dilshan, on 144, followed shortly afterwards, caught by Tinashe Panyangara off Prosper Utseya. Zimbabwe made a promising start to their reply, with Brendan Taylor (80) and Regis Chakabva (35) putting on 116 for the first wicket but they did not have the strength in depth to challenge Sri Lanka's total. When Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara threw him the ball, Dilshan returned the astonishing figures of 4-4, only missing out on a hat trick because Mahela Jayawardene dropped a regulation chance at slip. Muttiah Muralitharan, playing his final match in front of his home fans in Kandy before his international retirement, broke Zimbabwe's dangerous opening partnership, dismissing Chakabva and finishing with 3-34. Speaking about Dilshan, the skipper said: “He's got that magic touch with the bat, with the ball and even on the field so he's been one of most important players over the last 10 years.” Speaking about the performance of Muralitharan, the highest wicket-taker in ODIs and Tests, Sangakkara said: “He's a champion and that's why he's always rated the best in the world. When the tough times come along he steps up.” There are still 16 matches to go in the group stages of the World Cup from Friday but barring a major upset, it looks likely that the top eight sides in the world rankings will all make it through to the quarterfinals. The International Cricket Council, meanwhile, approved England's giant fast bowler Chris Tremlett as a World Cup replacement for Stuart Broad. Broad was ruled out for the rest of the tournament after suffering a side strain during the six-run win over South Africa in Chennai Sunday. Tremlett is the second replacement England has needed in the past few days, having summoned Eoin Morgan in place of the injured Kevin Pietersen on Monday. England captain Andrew Strauss is staying tight-lipped over his new opening partner for Friday's match against Bangladesh in Chittagong after the loss of Pietersen.
