Sri Lanka take one-day series against Zimbabwe, but not without a fight. – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE. (eLanka Sports Editor).
Sri Lanka took the one-day series against Zimbabwe, but the two game win was anything but comprehensive.
The home team put up a remarkable performance in defeat as Sri Lanka, riding on the fantastic batting efforts of Pathum Nissanka edged past them in two cliff hangers.
Nissanka smashed his seventh one day century, 122 off136 balls with 14 fours, following his 92 ball 76 in game one to steer Sri Lanka to a 2-0 sweep earning him player of the series and man- of -the- match as he establishes his reputation as on of the best openers in cricket.
The multi- format dasher is much in the mould of Sri Lanka coach Sanath Jayasuriya for his bludgeoning batting style as a right -hander.
The contest in both games was pulsating as Zimbabwe refused to let their low ranking be a deterent against the improving Sri Lankans who appear to have turned the corner in the limited overs game.
It was a series of contrasts as Sri Lanka held their nerve in game one as the plucky Zimbabwean batters made a bold chase to Sri Lanka’s target of 285.
The close encounters promise to make the following three-match T20 series a riveting contest.
Sikanda Raza had a great series for the home team with the bat smashing 82 runs off 87 balls in game one, adding 59 off 55 balls in game two. Ben Curran 70 off 90 balls abd 79 off 95 showed little fear of the Sri Lankan attack.
Paceman Dilshan Madushanka came to his country’s rescue with an unimaginable hat-trick in game one grabbing 4 for 62 to swing the scales back to a famous Sri Lankan comeback win. Fellow paceman Asitha Fernando took 3 for 50.
Game two was decided almost solely on the back of a Pathum Nissanka master-class as he smashed his way to 122 in pursuit of a 277 run target set by the Zimbabweans. Skipper Charith Asalanka chipped in with a whirlwind 71 off 61balls to set up the successful chase of the Zimbabweans target of 277 for 7 in their allotment. Sri Lanka scraped home with three balls to spare.
Returning Paceman Dushmantha Chameera who appears to have overcome his nagging injury issues, showed he is still a potent weapon in Sri Lanka’s bowling. Chameera took three wickets for 52 in game two in a stellar effort that curbed Zimbabwe’s pursuit of a winning total to square the series.
Sri Lanka appears set to qualify for the upcoming World Cup sitting fourth in the current rankings.
Consistency going forward will determine whether they can take it up to the best.
The T20 series will reveal their progress in another format they have been faltering recently.
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