News
Zimbabwe stun Sri Lanka for the first time in T20I’s
Zimbabwe tour of Sri Lanka (2nd T20I)
Zimbabwe scirpted history when they edge Sri Lanka by a thrilling 4 wicket in the second T20I worked off at R.Premadasa stadium, Colombo on Tuesday (16).
The win also registered as the first victory for Zimbabwe against Sri Lanka in T20I’s.
After being put in to bat first, Sri Lanka posted a decent score of 173/6 in their allotted 20 overs thanks to half-centuries from Charith Asalanka and Angelo Mathews. In reply, Zimbabwe chased down the target in 19.5 overs and levelled the three-match series 1-1.
Earlier Sri Lanka’s one of major concern their top order once again failed to deliver as they were reduced to 26-4 in 4.4 overs.
The host commenced there innings in the worst possible way when they lost Pathum Nissanka (1) in the second over of the day.
Nissanka was followed by three more wickets that of Kusal Perera (0), Kusal Mendis (4) and Sadeera Samarawickrama (16) to put Sri Lanka in some sort of trouble.
However when the chips were down, Charith Asalanka along with experience campaigner Angelo Mathews turn things around as the duo engaged in a massive 118-run stand off 79 balls for the fifth wicket.
Charith Asalanka led the charge from the front with a blistering knock of 69 runs until Luke Jongwe gave the breakthrough to send the left hander back to the pavilion.
With the damage already done former skipper Dasun Shanaka arrived at the crease and score quick 9 runs including two boundaries to entertain the crowd.
However the former skipper bit the dust when he skied one straight to Ryan Burl who was at mid off.
Despite two quick wickets Angelo Mathews launched a late surge with back to back boundaries as he went onto score 66 runs off 51 deliveries and guiding his team to a decent score of 173-6 in their allotted 20 overs.
During the chase it was the same scenario for Visitors as well wehere their top order failed to click.
Despite wickets falling at one end Craig Ervine kept Zimbabwe in the hunt, top scoring with 70 runs off 54 balls with six fours and two sixes.
At the half way mark Zimbabwe revived their innings to a certain extent but their saviour Craig Ervine bit the dust when Wanindu Hasaranga delivered to send Ervin back to the pavilion after he was caught near the boundary line.
Visitors reeling at 143-6 after 18 overs required to maintain at-least 15 runs per over to end on the winning side.
They required 30 runs from the last two overs, which turned into 20 off the final over.
Angelo Mathews was given the ball in the last over with Luke Jongwe and Clive Madande but the veteran failed to live to the expectations as Zimbabwe did the unthinkable in style.
It was a day to forget for Angelo Mathews as Jongwe smashed the first ball of the final over for six over long-on — and Mathews had overstepped as well, so the equation came down to 13 off six balls.
Next, Jongwe managed a boundary off the free hit, before smashing a six off the next delivery — making it three runs required off four balls.
Mathews managed a dot ball next. Then, to make matters worse, Jongwe was dropped off the next delivery and the batters completed a single.
Clive Madande was on strike for the penultimate ball, and as Mathews missed the yorker, he swept it for six to finish the match in style.
It also should be mentioned that the host were sloppy in the field, dropping a couple of catches as well.
With the three match series now levelled at 1-1 the decider will be played on Thursday at the same venue.
Brief scores:
Sri Lanka 173/6 in 20 overs (Charith Asalanka 69, Angelo Mathews 66*; Richard Ngarava 1-30, Blessing Muzarabani 2-36, Luke Jongwe 2-32, Wellington Masakadza 1-25)
Zimbabwe 178/6 in 19.5 overs (Craig Ervine 70, Brian Benett 25, Luke Jongwe 25*; Dilshan Madushanka 1-24, Maheesh Theekshana 2-25, Dushmantha Chameera 2-30, Wanidu Hasaranga 1-31)
Cricket
Sri Lanka A prevail in Super Over thriller as tempers flare after dramatic finish
Sri Lanka A held their nerve to defeat India A in a thrilling Super Over contest in the One-Day Tri-Series in Dambulla, but the dramatic finish was overshadowed by a heated post-match confrontation involving Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Vishen Halambage.
After both teams finished level on 265, Sri Lanka A posted 16 runs in the Super Over through aggressive contributions from Avishka Fernando and captain Sahan Arachchige. India A, chasing 17, were restricted to just nine runs as young pacer Kugathas Mathulan delivered under pressure to seal a memorable victory.
The match had already produced plenty of late drama. India A’s Arshad Khan conceded only four runs in the final over of Sri Lanka’s chase when five were required for victory, forcing the contest into a Super Over as fading light added to the tension. Despite concerns over visibility and a scheduled cut-off time, officials allowed play to continue.
Emotions spilled over moments after the Super Over ended. Visuals showed Sri Lanka’s Vishen Halambage and Wanuja Sahan exchanging words with the departing Indian batters. Suryansh Shedge appeared to point his bat towards Halambage before Sooryavanshi turned back and confronted the Sri Lankan player. The exchange quickly escalated, with the two players shoving each other before wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella stepped in to separate them and calm tempers.
Earlier, India A recovered from 125 for 6 thanks to Suryansh Shedge’s 72 and Vipraj Nigam’s 51 to post 265. Sri Lanka A’s chase was anchored by Sadeera Samarawickrama’s superb 93, which kept them in contention before a dramatic final-over finish and eventual Super Over triumph completed a remarkable contest.
Cricket
West Indies edge Sri Lanka to clinch series
West Indies held their nerve in a tense chase to defeat Sri Lanka by five wickets in the final T20I and seal the series at home on Sunday.
Asked to bat first, Sri Lanka posted a competitive 169 all out in their allotted 20 overs after several batsmen made useful contributions. Opener Pathum Nissanka provided an early spark with 26 off 17 balls, while Kamil Mishara added 28 and Kamindu Mendis struck 20.
The innings was anchored by all-rounder Dunith Wellalage, whose aggressive 43 from 28 deliveries, featuring six boundaries and a six, lifted Sri Lanka during the closing stages. Wanindu Hasaranga also chipped in with a brisk 21 off 13 balls.
However, Sri Lanka lost wickets at crucial intervals and were unable to fully capitalize on a promising platform. Fast bowler Shamar Joseph starred for the hosts, claiming 5 for 33 in a match-winning spell. He received solid support from Matthew Forde, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein and Roston Chase, who shared the remaining wickets.
Chasing 170, West Indies suffered an early setback when captain Shai Hope fell for a duck. Sri Lanka tightened their grip further by reducing the hosts to 53 for 4, with Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana applying pressure through the middle overs.
Shimron Hetmyer counterattacked with 32 off 19 balls before Rovman Powell contributed a valuable 33. The decisive partnership came through Sherfane Rutherford and Holder.
Rutherford remained unbeaten on 54 from 40 deliveries, striking three fours and four sixes, while Holder blasted an unbeaten 21 from just five balls, including three towering sixes.
West Indies reached 170 for 5 with two balls to spare, completing a memorable victory and securing the series after a hard-fought contest between the two sides.
Cricket
Kamil, Shanaka power Sri Lanka to series-levelling win
A brilliant unbeaten half-century from Kamil Mishara and a destructive late cameo by Dasun Shanaka guided Sri Lanka to a convincing 37-run victory over West Indies and levelled the three match T20 series.
Sri Lanka recovered strongly after a shaky start to post an imposing 194 for 6. Pathum Nissanka fell early for seven, while captain Kusal Mendis made a quick-fire 31 off 19 balls before becoming one of three wickets claimed by Shamar Joseph. When Pavan Rathnayake was dismissed for one, Sri Lanka were struggling at 43 for 3 inside seven overs.
Mishara then steadied the innings with a mature knock, combining caution with aggression. The left-hander remained unbeaten on 61 from 40 deliveries, striking four fours and three sixes. Kamindu Mendis supported him with 24 before Shanaka launched a spectacular assault in the death overs.
The former captain hammered 58 from only 24 balls, smashing five boundaries and four sixes at a strike rate above 240. His 103-run stand with Mishara completely changed the complexion of the innings and propelled Sri Lanka close to the 200-run mark.
Chasing 195, West Indies suffered an early collapse as Brandon King and skipper Shai Hope were both trapped leg-before wicket inside the first two overs. Shimron Hetmyer (36) and Rovman Powell (43) threatened to keep the visitors in contention with an aggressive partnership, but Sri Lanka’s bowlers struck at regular intervals.
Dushmantha Chameera delivered a match-winning spell of 3 for 9, while Wanindu Hasaranga picked up three wickets despite conceding runs. Dunith Wellalage claimed two wickets and Maheesh Theekshana added one as West Indies were bowled out for 157 in 18.1 overs.
The victory ensured Sri Lanka squared the series and set up an exciting decider on Monday.
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