Zimbabwe clinched the five-match bilateral One-day International series against Sri Lanka 3-2 on Monday after stunning the hosts by three wickets at Hambantota. Yet again, it was Sikandar Raza who was the star of the show, putting on a terrific all-round display (27 not out and 3/21). The Pakistan-born cricketer also hit the winning runs, thumping a spectacular six over long off.
Raza and skipper Graeme Cremer’s (2/23) parsimonious bowling efforts meant that the Lankans got only 203/8 after being put into bat first on a slow wicket. Sri Lanka suffered from a lack of partnerships but opener Danushka Gunathilaka (52) and Asela Gunaratne (59*) hit gritty half-centuries to take their side to a respectable total.
After delivering back-to-back double century partnerships, the Niroshan Dickwella-Gunathilaka opening pair only lasted eight deliveries with the latter falling to Tendai Chatara. Player-of-the-series Hamilton Masakadza (73) and Solomon Mire (43) were racing away to the target with a 92-run opening stand. However, spinner Akila Dananjaya’s excellent display (4/47) sent panic in the Zimbabwean ranks.
Raza and Cremer then shone with the bat, stitching a timely 29-run stand to take their side home with 71 balls to spare. This was Zimbabwe’s first bilateral series win in eight years and their first against a Test playing nation in 16 years. It was also their first series win in Sri Lanka.
Brief score:
- Sri Lanka 203/8 in 50 Overs (Asela Gunaratne 59*, Danushka Gunathilaka 52; Sikandar Raza 3/21, Graeme Cremer 2/23) lost to Zimbabwe 204/7 in 38.1 Overs (Hamilton Masakadza 73, Solomon Mire 43; Akila Dananjaya 4/47) by 3 wickets
Buy an annual Scroll Membership to support independent journalism and get special benefits.
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!