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Pathum Nissanka’s rapid 55 and Kamindu Mendis’s unbeaten 41 powered Sri Lanka to a four-wicket win over Zimbabwe in Harare, chasing 175 set by Brian Bennett’s 81.
Pathum Nissanka. (PC: X)
Pathum Nissanka top-scored with a rapid 55 as Sri Lanka defeated Zimbabwe by four wickets in Harare on Wednesday, in the first of three Twenty20 internationals.
Zimbabwe set a target of 175-7 in 20 overs, mainly due to opener Brian Bennett’s 81 runs, but Sri Lanka chased it down, reaching 177-6 with five balls remaining. The teams will play again on Saturday and Sunday.
Nissanka, a 27-year-old right-handed batsman, had previously been instrumental with a half-century and a century in a 2-0 one-day international series victory, and he continued his form in the shorter format.
His 15th T20 half-century came off 32 balls, featuring four fours and two sixes, before he was dismissed by a top edge caught by wicketkeeper Tadiwanashe Marumani off Tinotenda Maposa’s bowling.
His wicket triggered a mini-collapse, with four Sri Lankan wickets falling in 19 balls and the tourists adding just 10 runs to reach 106-4.
However, an unbeaten 41 from Kamindu Mendis off 16 balls, including four sixes, stabilised the innings. He was supported by Dushan Hemantha, who remained not out on 14.
Richard Ngarava, with figures of 2-19 in four overs, was the standout bowler for Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club.
Bennett fell just 10 runs short of his best T20 score, achieving his fifth T20 half-century. Attempting a scoop shot, he was bowled by a yorker from Dushmantha Chameera (3-30) that uprooted the middle stump.
Captain Sikandar Raza was the only other Zimbabwean batsman to surpass 20 runs, scoring 28 before being caught by Nissanka at deep midwicket off Hemantha’s bowling.
(With agency inputs)
A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses, features, live scores, results, stats and everything that’s cricket from all over the globe. Follow @cricketnext
A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses, features, live scores, results, stats and everything that’s cricket from all over the globe. Follow @cricketnext
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