1996: Sri Lanka kick-starts cup winning campaign

After boycotts by Australia and West Indies in Round 1 games due to security concerns, Sri Lanka finally opened their 1996 world cup campaign against Zimbabwe.

The home team had a thumping 6 wicket win over Zimbabwe. They restricted the vistors to 228-6 after Campbell 75 and Whittal 35 put on 68 runs.

In reply man of the match Aravinda De Silva 91 and Asanka Gurusinghe 87 put on 172 runs a record for Sri Lanka as they won by 6 wickets with 13 overs to spare in front of a huge home crowd.

SSC, 21 Feb 1996.