Online Reporter
Tinashe Kusema-Zimpapers Sports Hub
IF there were any lingering doubts as to the legitimacy of Zimbabwe’s place in the prestigious ICC T20 World Cup Super Eight stage then all those evaporated just as quickly as they had emerged at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka yesterday.
Zimbabwe put on a clinical act to dispatch co-hosts and 2014 champions Sri Lanka by six wickets.
It was a huge win that was greeted with excitement not just by Zimbabweans fans but by cricket enthusiasts across the globe.
Having already sealed their place in the Super Eight, the Chevrons were not in the mood to take the foot off the pedal.
Instead they sent a clear message of intent going into the Super Eight stage of the competition next week.
With both sides safely into the next round of the competition and virtually little to play for in terms of stakes, both teams surprisingly resisted the urge to tinker too much with their starting line-ups.
For the Chevrons, this will be a campaign they will savour for a long time to come as they achieved a rare feat — finishing their group assignments unbeaten.
While Justin Sammons named a virtually unchanged side, Sri Lanka made a couple of changes, the main one being bringing in Pramod Madushan for the injured Matheesha Pathirana.
The hosts then won the toss with skipper Dusan Shanaka opting to bat first as Sri Lanka put 178 runs for seven on the board from their allotted 20 overs.
The opening pair of Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera set about entertaining the home fans with some scintillating shots, making a first-wicket stand of 54 runs off 30 balls.
Nissanka looked to be well on his way to continuing his lethal form from the Australia win, this time following up on his unbeaten century with another 62 runs off 41 balls.
His half-century innings included two platform-setting partnerships, first alongside Perera and then another 46 runs off 43 balls for the second wicket alongside Kusal Mendis.
However, much like they did during the 29-run win over Australia, Zimbabwe found their groove and managed to keep the hosts in check at every turn soon after.
The trio of Blessing Muzarabani, Brad Evans and Graeme Cremer each took two wickets apiece, while Ryan Burl chipped in with a scalp of his own.
Cremer finished as the pick of the Zimbabwe bowlers with figures of two for 27 runs while Nissanka top-scored for the hosts with his 62 runs off 41 balls.
There was another short cameo from Pavan Rattnayake, who chipped in with 44 runs off 25 balls.
Still, Zimbabwe deserve full credit for restricting Sri Lanka to just 178 runs.
The start of their top order could have seen the Asian well past the 200-run mark.
The duo of opener Brian Bennett and skipper Sikandar Raza then set about chasing down the target in quick time, with the latter putting up a Player-of-the-Match performance with his quick-fire 45 runs off 26 balls.
That short but productive spell featured two boundaries and four maximums as Raza finally showed glimpses of the player promised.
Raza and Bennett also featured in a 69-run off 40 balls third-wicket partnership.
Earlier on, openers Bennett and Tapiwanashe Marumani had put up 69 runs off 51 balls to give Zimbabwe a flying start to the chase.
Bennett top-scored for Zimbabwe with 63 runs off 48 balls.
Raza and Marumani chipped in with 45 and 34 runs off 26 balls.
While the result ensured Zimbabwe maintained their unbeaten start to the tournament, it also sent a message of intent to their Super Eight opponents West Indies, India and South Africa.
Ironically, the group contains all the unbeaten sides left in the competition.
The only difference is that, while the West Indies, India and South Africa have won four out of four matches, Zimbabwe have three wins and a no result from their abandoned games against Ireland on Tuesday.
Still, Zimbabwe will go into the next round with all the momentum and, most likely, fancy causing an upset or two.
The Super Eight matches begin tomorrow.
But for Chevrons captain, Raza, it is all about keeping the eyes on the prize.
“If we keep our eyes on the present, I don’t think anyone gave us a chance.
“A chance to win everyone’s hearts and respect but this is a good position to be in,” he said.
“We have trained for every situation, we have got all those roles clear, and that is why you see the confidence in the changing room.”
His opposite number, Shanaka, conceded defeat graciously.
“We had a very good start, and the score we put on was good enough to defend.
“However, there were some patches where we could have done better, but we take the score,’’ added Raza.
