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Pathum Nissanka’s 122 and Charith Asalanka’s 71 led Sri Lanka to a 2-0 ODI series win over Zimbabwe, chasing 277/7 with three balls to spare.
Sri Lanka beat Zimbabwe 2-0 in the ODI series (AP)
Pathum Nissanka’s century set up Sri Lanka for a thrilling five-wicket win over Zimbabwe in Harare on Sunday, clinching the one-day international series 2-0 with three balls to spare.
The 27-year-old opener scored his seventh ODI century by making 122 off 136 balls, including 16 fours. Nissanka shared a 90-run partnership for the fourth wicket with captain Charith Asalanka, who scored 71, guiding Sri Lanka to 236/4 with 33 balls left.
How Sri Lanka Beat Zimbabwe?
Chasing Zimbabwe’s total of 277/7 in 50 overs, Sri Lanka reached 278/5, securing their second consecutive ODI series win following a 2-1 victory over Bangladesh. Nissanka’s century, combined with his 76 runs in the first ODI win on Friday, earned him the player of the series award.
“It has been a little while since I have been among the runs in one-day internationals, so I am glad I was able to score some here,” said Nissanka.
“I wanted to do well for the team and I trusted myself. It was tougher to bat during the powerplay and the Zimbabwe bowlers performed well.”
Asalanka praised Nissanka: “I wanted to see a big hundred and Pathum supplied that. Both teams fought hard. I just told the team to do the basics well. Young players are doing a good job for the team. I asked the batters to play with less risk and to run hard. They did.”
Zimbabwe captain Sean Williams (20) reflected: “The series could have gone differently. It could have been 1-1. Today we missed an opportunity to be more aggressive when batting in the middle overs. The small chances make a bit difference at the end of the day.”
Nissanka exploited poor field placings by Zimbabwe, eventually being caught by substitute Wessly Madhevere with a pull shot past deep mid-wicket. Asalanka continued until the fifth ball of the penultimate over when he skied a delivery, caught by Brian Bennett.
Quick Richard Ngarava (2/53) and seamer Brad Evans (2/54) were the standout bowlers for Zimbabwe.
Earlier, Ben Curran (79) and Sikandar Raza (59 not out) played key roles in Zimbabwe’s innings after being put in to bat by Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka’s Dushmantha Chameera (3/52) was the pick of the bowlers, taking the wickets of Bennett (21), Tony Munyonga (10), and Evans (8).
Brief scores: Zimbabwe 277/7, 50 overs (B. Curran 79, S. Raza 59 not out; D. Chameera 3/52, A. Fernando 2/67) v Sri Lanka 278/5, 49.3 overs (P. Nissanka 122, C. Asalanka 71; R. Ngarava 2/53, B. Evans 2/54)
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin…Read More
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin… Read More
- Location :
Harare, Zimbabwe
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