Sri Lanka crushed Zimbabwe by seven wickets here Saturday to virtually guarantee their place in the final of the triangular series against hosts Pakistan.
The Sri Lankans skittled the Zimbabweans for 104 and then romped home for 108-3 in just over 18 overs to leave the Africans needing a miracle if they are to progress to the October 16 final.
Zimbabwe, who have just one point from three matches, now must pull off an unlikely victory with a bonus point against Sri Lanka on Monday.
They must also hope Pakistan beat Sri Lanka with a bonus point when the two teams meet in their last league match in Lahore on October 14, to have any chance of making the final.
Sri Lanka had notched 56 by lunch, losing Saman Jayantha for 21.
After the interval, Sanath Jayasuriya hit Chigumbura for a six and two boundaries but the Zimbabwean avenged the assault by bowling Jayasuriya off the fourth delivery for 40.
Tillakaratne Dilshan, promoted to gain some practice, hit the winning boundary to finish at 26 not out.
"It was a comfortable win but we
are taking every game with the same level of intensity so we put in our best," Sri Lankan captain Marvan Atapattu said.
Earlier Sri Lanka's four-pronged pace attack shared two wickets apiece while leg-spinner Upul Chandana returned with best figures of 3-15 as the Africans collapsed in just 33 overs.
Stuart Matsikenyeri with 37 and Dion Ebrahim with 24 not out offered some resistance in an otherwise disappointing batting display.
Zimbabwe, weakened by the sacking of 15 white players who rebelled against their country's selection policies in April this year, lost their last nine wickets for just 50 runs in windy conditions.
Zimbabwe captain Tatenda Taibu said he was disappointed at his team's batting.
"It was terrible, disappointing. We are taking two steps forward and one step backward so it's not on and we must not commit the same mistakes," said Taibu.
Pacer Nuwan Zoysa forced an edge from opener Brendon Taylor for wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara to take a straightforward catch in the fourth over.