SRI Lanka edged Zimbabwe by four wickets in the opening T20I at Harare Sports Club on Wednesday, chasing down 175 with five balls to spare after a late onslaught from Kamindu Mendis turned the game on its head.
Zimbabwe looked on course for victory thanks to a superb 81 from Brian Bennett and some sharp work in the field, but one costly over swung the contest back in the visitors’ favour.
Asked to bat first, Zimbabwe lost Tadiwanashe Marumani early for seven, before Bennett countered with a fluent innings that included 12 boundaries. He added 37 with Sean Williams, who was trapped lbw for 14, and 50 with captain Sikandar Raza, who made 28. Ryan Burl chipped in with 17, but it was Bennett who held the innings together until he was bowled by Dushmantha Chameera for 81 off 57 balls. A late flourish from Tashinga Musekiwa (11) lifted the total to 175 for seven. Chameera was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with three for 30.
Sri Lanka’s reply began in explosive fashion, with Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis racing to 96 without loss after 10 overs. Nissanka made 55 off 32 balls before top-edging to Marumani, and Zimbabwe’s bowlers then struck in quick succession. Richard Ngarava dismissed Kusal Perera for a single before Maposa held Mendis for 38. Charith Asalanka (1) and Nuwanidu Fernando (7) also departed cheaply, while Dasun Shanaka fell to a remarkable boundary catch that saw Musekiwa parry before Tony Munyonga completed the effort.
At 125 for five, Zimbabwe looked favourites, but Maposa’s next over cost 26 runs, with Kamindu Mendis smashing 16 off his bat alone. Kamindu’s unbeaten 41 from just 16 deliveries sealed the win, as Sri Lanka reached 177 for six in 19.1 overs.
For Zimbabwe, Ngarava stood out with two for 19 in four overs, while Raza and Brad Evans chipped in with a wicket each.
