Zimbabwe Tour Of Sri Lanka – (3rd ODI)
In a commanding display of cricket prowess, Sri Lanka secured a thumping victory against Zimbabwe, with the standout performance coming from the comeback man, Wanindu Hasaranga. His heroics in the first innings, where he claimed seven wickets, proved to be the decisive factor in Sri Lanka’s triumph. Unfortunately for Zimbabwe, even the rain could not disrupt Sri Lanka’s dominance, as they were outplayed by a superior side.
From the onset, it was evident that the Lankans were in control, particularly after restricting Zimbabwe to a low total. Despite an early setback in their own innings, a crucial partnership between Kusal Mendis and Shevon Daniel ensured a comfortable chase. Mendis, in particular, shone with the bat, scoring a noteworthy fifty and becoming the linchpin around whom the rest of the batting order revolved.
The final scorecard reflected Zimbabwe’s struggles, being bowled out for a mere 96 runs in 22.5 overs. Joylord Gumbie top-scored with 29 runs, but Wanindu Hasaranga’s exceptional bowling figures of 7 for 19 overshadowed any resistance. Sri Lanka’s batting, led by Mendis, confidently chased down the target, finishing at 97 for 2 in just 16.4 overs.
Wanindu Hasaranga’s outstanding comeback, combined with Sri Lanka’s all-around dominance, paints a picture of a formidable team ready to make its mark. As the series progresses, Sri Lanka’s performance in this match will undoubtedly boost their confidence, while Zimbabwe will be eager to regroup and pose a stronger challenge in the upcoming encounters.
Chief Scores:
Zimbabwe – 96 for 10 in 22.5 overs (Joylord Gumbie 29, Takudzwanashe Kaitano 17, Luke Jongwe 14, Wanindu Hasaranga 7 for 19, Maheesh Theekshana 1 for 15, Janith Liyanage 1 for 17)
Sri Lanka 97 for 2 in 16.4 overs (Kusal Mendis 66*, Sadeera Samarawickrama 14*, Shevon Daniel 12, Wellignton Masakadza 1 for 15, Richard Ngarava 1 for 20, Luke Jongwe 0 for 10)
