SL vs ZIM: In a stunning conclusion to an exciting ODI, Dilshan Madushanka served up a miraculous final-over hat-trick as Sri Lanka (SL) bagged a win against Zimbabwe (ZIM). Although Sikandar Raza gave a heroic performance, taking his team almost to the finishing line, Zimbabwe was denied by a small margin in the latest SL vs ZIM encounter.
Madushanka’s Final Over Heroics Turn the Game
With Zimbabwe requiring only 10 runs of the last over, the spotlight was on Sikandar Raza, who was playing a beautiful 92 off 86 deliveries. Raza had rescued Zimbabwe from a hopeless situation with a 128-run partnership with Tony Munyonga.
But Dilshan Madushanka had other ideas. Supporting his pace and line, he bowled full and straight. He claimed his first wicket in Raza, who tried to scoop over fine leg but missed, seeing his middle stump removed.
Two balls later, Brad Evans mistimed a scoop to short fine leg, and Richard Ngarava followed by a failed swipe across the line, losing his stumps as well. Madushanka’s last figures were 4 for 62, with a hat-trick in the last over, to seal one of the most heart-stopping SL vs ZIM matches ever.
Raza and Munyonga Almost Achieve a Miracle
Zimbabwe had appeared out of the contest earlier, requiring 138 off 120 balls. Raza and Munyonga came back with urgency and class, settling into easier batting conditions as the pitch settled. Raza rotated strike cleverly and attacked poor balls, particularly the seamers.
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Munyonga provided strong back-up, even riding out a deep point fall when on 35, with only 32 required from 22 deliveries. That left us thinking Zimbabwe was in the box seat until the Madushanka magic put paid to their dreams.
Sri Lanka’s Bowlers Tested Under Pressure
Even with a bit of sloppy fielding and a slow over rate which compelled them to retain an extra fielder within the circle for the last two overs Sri Lanka’s fast bowling attack remained solid. With Dushmantha Chameera and Asitha Fernando out by the 49th, pressure fell squarely on Madushanka, and he delivered when it really counted. Asitha Fernando too contributed significantly, taking 3 for 50 from his ten overs.
Sri Lanka’s Late-Innings Rally Boosts Their Score
Batting first, Sri Lanka were 161 for 5 when a game-turning sixth-wicket stand between Janith Liyanage and Kamindu Mendis. The two batters combined 137 off only 83 balls, with both displaying aggressive intent and pragmatic strokeplay.
Liyanage was not out on 70 off 47 balls, finishing in style with a helicopter-shot six over Ngarava. Kamindu contributed 57 off 36, assisting the momentum build-up before falling on the final ball of the innings. The expensive over by Trevor Gwandu 23 runs was a turning point in ramping up the Sri Lankan total.
Both Teams’ Top-Order Contributions
Solid top-order batting was also a feature of the match:
For Zimbabwe, Sean Williams and Ben Curran revived the innings from 0 for 2 with a steady 118-run partnership, both scoring half-centuries. For Sri Lanka, Pathum Nissanka hit a patient fifty that set the stage for the late-innings pyrotechnics.
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