Zimbabwe’s Tour of Sri Lanka (1st T20)
In a heart pounding encounter, Sri Lanka clinched a stunning victory against Zimbabwe in the first T20 International of the series. Chasing a tricky total of 144, Sri Lanka faced early struggles, losing three wickets within the powerplay. Despite consistent wicket fall, the hosts maintained the required run rate for the majority of the game, with a late surge in the death overs proving decisive. Angelo Mathews played a crucial knock of 46, supported by Dasun Shanaka’s timely cameo of 26*, steering Sri Lanka to a dramatic win on the final delivery.
Earlier in the game, Zimbabwe posted a competitive total of 143, primarily anchored by their skipper Sikandar Raza, who showcased brilliance with the bat, scoring 62 runs. While the batters got starts, the regular fall of wickets prevented them from capitalizing fully. The hosts’ bowling, led by skipper Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana, maintained pressure, but Zimbabwe accelerated in the final overs, adding 61 runs off just 36 deliveries.
Zimbabwe’s bowlers, especially skipper Sikandar Raza, had a good outing, taking three crucial wickets and conceding only 13 runs in his four overs. However, a late onslaught from Sri Lanka’s Angelo Mathews and Dasun Shanaka, especially in the death overs, tilted the balance in favor of the hosts.
The match reached a gripping climax as Sri Lanka, seemingly down and out at one stage, staged a remarkable comeback. Angelo Mathews’ decisive innings and Dasun Shanaka’s lusty blows in the final moments secured a thrilling three-wicket win for Sri Lanka on the last ball.
With this victory, Sri Lanka takes the lead in the three-match T20I series, showcasing their resilience and ability to fight back from difficult situations. Zimbabwe, despite their competitive performance, will look to regroup and respond strongly in the upcoming matches, setting the stage for an exciting contest in the series.
Chief Scores :
Zimbabwe – 143 for 5 in 20 overs (Sikandar Raza 62, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe 26, Sean Williams 14, Maheesh Theekshana 2 for 16, Wanindu Hasaranga 2 for 19, Dushmantha Chameera 1 for 38)
Sri Lanka – 144 for 7 in 20 overs (Angelo Mathews 46, Dasun Shanaka 26*, Kusal Perera 17, Sikandar Raza 3 for 13, Blessing Muzarabani 2 for 33, Wellington Masakadza 1 for 21)
