Online Reporter
Tinashe Kusema
Zimpapers Sports Hub
HALF-CENTURIES by Sikandar Raza and Ben Curran turned out to be in vain as Sri Lanka strolled to a five-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the second and final ODI at Harare Sports Club yesterday.
The victory, anchored by Pathum Nissanka’s century, means the Asians claimed a two-nil series victory over the Chevrons after last Friday dramatic win.
Zimbabwe stand-in captain Sean Williams was left to rue the missed opportunity to claim the first ODI as the Chevrons succumbed to yet another series loss.
“The series could have gone differently,” said Williams.
“It could have been 1-1. Today we missed an opportunity to be more aggressive against the spinners in the middle overs.
“The small chances make a big difference at the end of the day,” he said.
Yesterday Zimbabwe made a couple of changes to the team as medium-pacer Ernest Masuku was handed his One Day International debut while Clive Madande returned to the starting XI.
The other two to make way was the duo of Wessley Madhevere and Trevor Gwandu.
The hosts were immediately put to the sword as Sri Lanka won the toss and put Zimbabwe to bat after which they laboured to 277 for seven in their allotted 50 overs.
Zimbabwe did reasonably well at the start and at the end of the innings, but Sri Lanka controlled the middle and the Chevrons will probably look back and realise they were some 30-odd runs short of what could have been a winning target.
Once again, the Chevrons’ batting frailties were laid bare as Curran’s 79 runs off 137 balls and Raza’s unbeaten 59 runs off 55 balls rescued Zimbabwe’s innings and gave their bowlers something to throw at.
The top order in particular were guilty of letting the team down as most of them failed to capitalise on their good starts.
Brian Bennet and Brendan Taylor did not last long and finished with 21 and 20 runs respectively, leaving Curran stranded.
Bennett was bowled out clean by Dushmantha Chameera just when the 21-year-old was looking like he had settled into his stride.
Taylor soaked in one too many balls and was undone when he tried to scoop a Janith Liyanage delivery to Chameera to leave Zimbabwe reeling at 116 for two.
Prior to that, Curran had shared a 55-run off 58 balls first-wicket stand with Bennett and a 61-run off 84 balls second-wicket partnership with Taylor. Zimbabwe failed to replicate the magic from the first ODI as Curran and Sean Williams’ third-wicket partnership only went for 34 runs off 45 balls while Raza and Tony Manyonga could only muster 21 runs off 31 balls.
These two partnerships were crucial in Zimbabwe’s revival during the first ODI but failed to get going this time around.
Raza continued with his fine form as his unbeaten half-century featured a sixth-wicket stand of 76 runs off 64 balls that brought some respectability to Zimbabwe’s total.
Chameera finished as the pick of the Sri Lanka bowlers with three wickets for 52 runs while Asitha Fernando chipped in with two for 67 runs. Sri Lanka’s response was swift and effective as Nissanka’s 122 runs off 136 balls gave the Asians the foundation they needed in their chase. The Sri Lanka opener shared three crucial partnerships at the top of the visitors’ victory charge.
A 78-run off 95 balls third-wicket stand with Sadeera Samarawickrama (31) and 90-run off 87 balls fourth-wicket partnership with skipper Charith Asalanka (71) eased off the pressure off Sri Lanka’s chase.
In contrast, wickets were hard to come by for Zimbabwe as only Richard Ngarava and Brad Evans managed to break through Sri Lanka’s defences. The two finished with two wickets apiece while Masuku got his first international wicket when he had Samarawickrama (31) caught by Raza at deep midwicket.
Sri Lanka’s Asalanka was all smiles as Sri Lanka continued their rebuild.
“It’s a pleasure to have a win in Zimbabwe,” said Asalanka. “Both teams fought hard and I just told the team to do the basics right.
“I wanted to see a big hundred and Pathum did that. “Young players are doing a good job for the team. I asked the batter to play with less risk and to run hard,” he said.
The series now moves to the T20 format with the first match slated for Wednesday at Harare Sports Club.
