Sri Lanka created history on the fifth day of the one off Test here at Colombo as the side scaled down a mountain of 388 to register the highest ever run chase in Asia. Having been set a colossal target of 388 by the spirited Zimbabweans, not many gave Sri Lanka a chance after the side had been found to be extremely laid back till the first four days.
After having their backs to the walls, the Lankan lions roared back ferociously to stun Zimbabwe as the side got home with four wickets intact. With timely half centuries from Kusal Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella and Asela Gunaratne, Sri Lanka scripted a memorable win as they surpassed India’s tally of 387, to record the highest successful run chase in Asia.
Post the thumping and inspiring win, the side’s debut Test captain, Dinesh Chandimal admitted that the side was fully geared up to take on India, in the three match series which commences from the 26th of this month.
“It’s been a really good five days,” said Chandimal about the win. “Credit goes to all the players, they stuck to their plans and gave it their best. It is always tough when you are batting in the fourth innings, but all the batters stuck to their game plan, credit goes to Asela and Dickwella, they played some really good cricket. It is always a challenge to captain the side. The India series is going to be a tough challenge for us and hopefully, the guys will do their best.”
Man of the Series Rangana Herath too echoed the same thoughts addressing to the series against neighbours India.
“All in all it was a very good Test match. Zimbabwe played really well, especially Ervine and Raza, put our bowlers off with sweeps and reverse sweeps. Our batsmen played better than them, that’s why I am here. Looking forward to the India series,” Herath said.