Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapakse on Sunday invited New Zealand Prime Minister John Key to witness the cricket World Cup semi-finals between the two nations on Tuesday, an official said.
Published: Mar 27, 2011, 12:10 PM (IST)
Edited: Mar 27, 2011, 12:10 PM (IST)
Ross Taylor of New Zealand plays a shot during their World Cup Group A match against Sri Lanka at Mumbai
Colombo: Mar 27, 2011
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Sri Lanka’s President Mahinda Rajapakse on Sunday invited New Zealand Prime Minister John Key to witness the cricket World Cup semi-finals between the two nations on Tuesday, an official said.
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Rajapakse asked Key to visit the island after the home team crushed England by 10 wickets on Saturday to reach the World Cup semi-finals that will be played at Colombo’s Premadasa Stadium, spokesman Bandula Jayasekera said.
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The 1996 champions will tackle New Zealand on Tuesday for a place in the finals. The Black Caps had knocked South Africa out of the World Cup by defeating them by 49 runs on Friday.
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Sri Lanka’s media hailed their side’s entry into the semi-finals, but the Sunday Island newspaper said Sri Lankans had dropped several catches and were not at their best.
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“How poorly England played yesterday was evident by the fact that it wasn’t the perfect game displayed by the Sri Lankans,” the Sunday Island said.
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Sri Lanka will meet New Zealand for a second time in the current World Cup after their 112 run victory over the Black Caps in their Group A match at the Wankhede Stadium on March 18.
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