We can use this thread to discuss all of the matches in the qualifying stages of the tournament.

In the first match Sri Lanka racked up 302 runs against Bangladesh.

Sri Lanka batted very well, especially Upul Tharanga (105) and Marvan Atapattu (towards the end with 40) helped to keep the run rate around six an over as wickets fell a similar intervals.

Bangladesh's bowling was very average most of the time; the left handers (Tharanga and Sangakkara) milked the bowling in the middle period as three SLA bowlers were used. 60 odd runs were added for the third wicket and there was no pressure on the batsmen at all.

If Sangakkara had not got out for only 22 when scoring was so easy for him Sri Lanka, IMO, could have got closer to 350 runs.

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Watch this for a perfect about.
James May

i didn't watch it but i see the result was SL by 37 runs - could it have been closer or is it flattering?

Well it was good to see Bangladesh last their full 50 overs, even though 9 went down. they didnt give in easily and it was a heartful performance.

Even I couldnt see the match, but I think Bangladesh did well to come that close. I would expect Srilanka to win with a bigger margin after scoring in excess of 300 against Bangladesh. I havent seen the match so I dont know whether Lanka bowled bad or BD batted well. But 34 extra runs with 21 wides and 6 no-balls indicate indisciplined bolwing from Sri Lanka.

Also 45 runs were scored in the 10 overs from Murali and he took just one wicket. Thats not a good sign. If Murali is not doing well against BD on Indian pitches, something is wrong with him.

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Good win for Srilanka right off the bat.. but Bangladesh my word... i have to say their fielding is outstanding and their batting isnt that far off either.. Reza.. aftab ahmed and saqibul were brilliant.. infact i was very very pleasantly surprsied to see the bangladeshi batsmen dancing down the pitch to muruli!! this teams got a lot of heart and i think if they continue on this track.. just another year and they will be among the top contenders... they really seem to have a lot of talent!!!! and they gave srilanka a good fight!!

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Dilhara Fernando was a big help and the perfect example of indisciplined bowling; a perfect start with the ball from Malinga and Vaas was slightly ruined by Fernando who was erratic.

Not seeing the match really shows in this comment; the pitch took basically no turn at all, it was a pace bowlers pitch with a bit of seam and swing on offer with the new ball. Both Jayasuriya and Murali were basically firing straight darts, even when the ball was bowled a little bit slower to allow for more grip.

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Watch this for a perfect about.
James May

Zimbabwe are batting and floundering at it... i guess the loss of their big players has really affected them terribly, WI is bowling and fielding very well... 2 runouts... so far 46/6. Seems like its gonna be an early evening.

The ball was swinging and seaming around early. Zimbabwe won the toss but chose to bat first which was probably a mistake in hindsight.

Yeh totally mike.. it did swing around a bit but not to the extent of the hole they have dug themselves into its 64/7 i dont think their batting is currently upto par with international standards.

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Looking at the score card, it seems that choosing to bat first was the least of the worries. In fact, having to bat at all might have been a bit of a stretch. How very sad to see this sort of scorecard from the once proud cricketing nation of Zimbabwe.

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