A stunning late assault from Kamindu Mendis and a solid fifty from Pathum Nissanka rescued Sri Lanka from collapse and secured a dramatic four-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in Harare.
Sri Lanka 177 for 6 (Nissanka 55, Kamindu 41*, Ngarava 2-19) beat Zimbabwe 175 for 7 (Bennett 81, Chameera 3-30) by four wickets.
Kamindu Mendis produced a breathtaking unbeaten 41 off just 16 balls from No. 6 to snatch victory for Sri Lanka in a chase that was spiraling out of control. The visitors had stormed to 96 without loss before crashing to 125 for 5 in pursuit of 175. With 46 runs required off the final four overs, Kamindu took charge, hammering four sixes and a four, punishing Zimbabwe’s bowlers for erratic lines and lengths in the closing stages. Sri Lanka ultimately crossed the target with five balls to spare and four wickets in hand.
Earlier, Pathum Nissanka anchored the chase with his third half century of the tour, a fluent 55 off 32 balls. His innings provided the platform for Sri Lanka to overhaul Zimbabwe’s competitive 175. Brian Bennett’s composed 81 from 57 deliveries had underpinned the home side’s total and was the standout innings for Zimbabwe. However, aside from Richard Ngarava, who bowled impressively to take 2 for 19, Zimbabwe’s seam attack leaked runs at key moments.
Tinotenda Maposa endured a nightmare 18th over with Zimbabwe still in the contest. Sri Lanka needed 34 from three overs, but Kamindu carved the first ball for four with an improvised reverse scoop. The following delivery was a no-ball full toss that was launched for six over fine leg. Maposa compounded his problems with a wide before offering another leg side full toss that was dispatched over square leg. That over alone conceded 26 runs, effectively swinging the match in Sri Lanka’s favor.
Despite Nissanka’s excellent contribution, Sri Lanka suffered a middle order slump, losing six wickets for 46 runs in seven overs. Kusal Mendis and Nissanka had earlier provided a blazing opening partnership of 96 at a run rate of over nine an over, which gave Sri Lanka breathing space when the collapse came. Zimbabwe bowlers struck repeatedly in the middle overs, creating real tension in the chase before Kamindu’s late heroics.
Bennett had been the backbone of Zimbabwe’s batting effort. He enjoyed a strong start, exploiting the powerplay with several boundaries behind point and through third man. His use of pace against seamers was particularly effective, and he mixed in innovative reverse sweeps against spin. Partnerships with Sikandar Raza and Ryan Burl kept Zimbabwe competitive before Dushmantha Chameera bowled him with a searing yorker at the end of the 19th over.
Chameera was Sri Lanka’s standout bowler, returning 3 for 30 in his four overs. He struck in the powerplay and later closed out the innings with accuracy and speed, delivering yorkers at the death. Twice batters attempted to move across the crease to flick him to the leg side but were beaten by fast yorkers aimed at the base of the stumps. His control and ability to outthink batters were crucial to restricting Zimbabwe’s total.
This dramatic match highlighted both Sri Lanka’s fragility in the middle overs and their ability to rally with explosive finishing. Kamindu Mendis’ fearless hitting, combined with Nissanka’s stability and Chameera’s incisive bowling, ensured Sri Lanka sealed an exciting win that will boost confidence as their tour continues.
