Nishan Madushka’s ton help Sri Lanka surpass Zimbabwe’s 259
Nov 2, 2023 at 4:20 PM
Zimbabwe put up a much-improved performance with Sri Lanka being made to work hard for their eventual five-wicket victory.
Zimbabwe was put into bat first by Sri Lankan captain Kamindu Mendis. After an early setback, Zimbabwe rallied to put on 259/4 thanks to a trio of half-centuries from their top-five.
The first one was from Donald Mlambo (52), who decided to drop anchor and score some quick runs for his side. It wasn’t quick, and it was rarely pretty, but it was exactly what was needed by his teams.
Jayden Schadendorf was the second batsman as he scored 74 including four sixes and three boundaries. He played some good looking shot and was in complete control. However, he fell while hitting the fifth but by then he has done his job.
Milton Shumba was the quickest taking the attack to the opposition to help his team go past 250. He remained unbeaten on 62 as Sri Lanka posted 259 on the board.
Sri Lankan seamers were unimpressive except with the new ball but came back stronger to restrict Zimbabwe within 259 to give them a chance.
In reply, Zimbabwe struck twice within the first seven balls to reduce Sri Lanka to 4/2, and their prospects reduced even further when two promising partnerships were cut short.
Sri Lanka was striving at 61/4 when Nishan Madushka and Nawanidu Fernando stitched a 143-run partnership to take their team inching towards victory. The duo rotated the strike, taking the boundaries that were on offer, and looking almost entirely untroubled throughout.
Ashen Bandara scored 36 quick runs to take his team home after Fernando holed out to long-on for 68. Sri Lanka crossed the rope with five wickets in hand and 27 balls to spare.
Brief Score: Sri Lanka 260/5 (Madushka 109*, Fernando 68) beat Zimbabwe 259/4 (J Schadendorf 74, M Shumba 62*, D Mlambo 52) by five wickets.
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