Sri Lanka confirmed their quarterfinal berth with a huge 139 runs win over Zimbabwe in their Group A match at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. Tillakaratne Dilshan was the hero for the home team with a century and a four-wicket haul. 
Elton Chigumbura won the toss and surprisingly chose to bowl first. The decision backfired as Upul Tharanga and Dilshan recorded their maiden World Cup centuries and also added 282 runs for the first wicket in less than 45 overs. 
Tharanga scored 133 runs from 141 balls with 17 fours while Dilshan raced to his 144 off just 131 balls with 16 fours and a six. Both the batsmen looked good for 300+ partnership when Tharanga holed out in the deep to end a fantastic partnership.
The 282-run partnership was also the highest opening partnership in the World Cups. The world record remained with Sanath Jayasuriya and Tharanga, who added 286 runs against England in 2006. Sri Lanka lost six wickets in a span of just three overs but managed to put up 327/6 off their allotted 50 overs. Chris Mpofu picked up 4/62 from his seven overs.
Chasing an improbable 328 runs to win, Zimbabwe got off to a superb start. Brendan Taylor and Regis Chakabva added 116 runs for the first wicket in 20 overs. The 116-run partnership was the best partnership for the first wicket for Zimbabwe against Sri Lanka.
Chakabva scored 35 runs off 61 balls before he was bowled by Muttiah Muralitharan. Taylor looked in sublime touch in stroking his way to a 72-ball 80 runs that included nine fours and a six.
However, Zimbabwe lost ten wicket for the addition of just 72 runs as Muralitharan and Dilshan ran through the Zimbabwean batting order. Muralithan picked up 3/34 while Dilshan complemented his hundred with 4/4 to become only the second played to score a century and take four wickets in the same match. Dilshan was rightly declared the player of the match.