Pathum Nissanka, Kamindu Mendis and Dushmantha Chameera swing the tide in Sri Lanka’s first T20 triumph. – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE. (eLanka Sports Editor).
Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis set the platform for a exhilarating Sri Lankan run chase that steered the tourists to a pulsating 4-wicket win over Zimbabwe in game one of the three-match T20 series in Harare.
The initial fireworks by Sri Lanka’s openers in pursuit of Zimbabwe’s initial onslaught that accumulated 175 for 7 in their allotment, saw Nissanka and Mendis smash their way to 96 off 10.1 overs before they were parted.
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Nissanka has proved to be the backbone of Sri Lanka’s batting in all formats. When he fails, the Lankans usually fall in a heap more times than not.
The diminutive right-hand batter is one of the most prolific run scorers in world cricket right now. But he needs consistency from his peers to make Sri Lanka great once more.
After the initial opening onslaught, promising all-rounder Kamindu Mendis picked up the tempo with a blistering 41 off 16 balls with 4 sixers and 1 four, together with Dushan Hemantha 14 off 11 balls sent Sri Lanka racing to the target with five balls to spare and a 1-0 lead in the series with two games to come.
Paceman Dushmantha Chameera continues his successful comeback from injury with telling effect with the new ball, giving Sri Lanka that much needed extra sting in the bowling which is currently up there among the best attacks in the world.
Chameera grabbed 3 for 30 off his 4 overs in the best effort by Sri Lanka’s bowlers.
Sri Lanka’s win in the one-dayers and now the first game of the T20s, has not been smooth sailing as the improving Zimbabweans made them work hard for their success. Currently, Sri Lanka is ranked 7th in the T20 format and Zimbabwe 12th. It certainly indicates an upward trend by both teams recently.
Batting first, Zimbabwe led by a adventurous 81 off 57 balls by opener Brian Bennett and 28 off 22 by skipper Sikanda Raza rattled up a competitive 175 for 7.
Sri Lanka’s openers went about the chase at breakneck speed setting up the win for the lower order as a middle order collapse made it look like the home team could swing the balance back in their favour.
Kamindu Mendis and Duahan Hemantha had other ideas as the grappled back the initiative for a exciting triumph.
The next two encounters will predictability be evenly contested.
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