Online Reporter
Tinashe Kusema, Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE step into today’s second and final One Day International (ODI) against Sri Lanka knowing they should have been chasing a series win, not survival.
On Friday, the Chevrons had the game in their hands until Dilshan Madushanka’s stunning last over hat trick stole victory and left Zimbabwe trailing 1–0 in the two match contest.
Sikandar Raza’s sparkling 92 off 87 balls had pulled Zimbabwe from the brink after the chase began to wobble at 161 for five, in pursuit of Sri Lanka’s 298 for six. Supported by Ben Curran (70), Sean Williams (57) and teenager Tony Manyonga (43), Raza looked to have engineered one of Zimbabwe’s best batting efforts in months.
Curran and Williams had steadied the innings with a 118-run stand for the third wicket. Raza and Manyonga then picked up the fight, adding 128 for the sixth wicket that put Zimbabwe on the cusp of a famous win.
But Madushanka’s nerve under pressure proved decisive. With Zimbabwe needing 10 runs from the final over, the left arm quick ripped through Raza, Brad Evans and Richard Ngarava in successive deliveries. The visitors scraped home by seven runs.
For once, though, defeat came with pride. This was not the limp surrender Zimbabwe’s fans have endured too often. Instead, it was a performance that reminded supporters of the side’s fight.
Curran, who was outstanding in just his second series for Zimbabwe, called on the fans to fill Harare Sports Club today and back the team.
“We know, hear you guys in the crowd for sure,” said Curran.
“Hopefully, Sunday (today) we are going to give our all again as we did today and make you guys proud. Hopefully, we can execute a little bit better, be a bit smarter in certain areas and put in a good performance for everyone.”
Curran added that the biggest lesson from Friday’s defeat was clarity in key moments.
“It was ultimately a good game of cricket in the end, and I think there are a lot of positives we can take from that, both in the field and with the bat. Going forward, we are going to look to play that same brand of cricket.
“There are going to be areas where we just need to execute a little bit better to get that win. Individually and as a team, we intend to take the positives of what we did well, rectify those slight judgments where we potentially could have done better, and then learn from it. Come Sunday (today), we will be confident that we can get the win.”
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka are already looking beyond the ODI series. Yesterday, they announced their squad for the up-coming three match T20I series starting Wednesday in Harare.
The Asian side have injected new blood, handing 20 year old Vishen Halambage his first call up after a standout SLC T20 League campaign. He is joined by fellow young batters Nuwanidu Fernando and Kamil Mishara, while allrounder Dushan Hemantha and seamer Dushmantha Chameera also return.
Making way are Avishka Fernando, Dinesh Chandimal, Jeffrey Vandersay, Eshan Malinga and the injured Wanindu Hasaranga.
Halambage and Mishara both impressed in the domestic tournament with their clean hitting, each striking six sixes, while only Niroshan Dickwella managed more boundaries.
Charith Asalanka continues as captain of a squad that blends fresh faces with established performers.
Sri Lanka squad for Zimbabwe T20I series
Charith Asalanka (capt), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera, Nuwanidu Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Vishen Halambage, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando.
Bongani Ndlovu