Online Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S best batting performance in a T20I for some time now was not enough to give the Chevrons a series win over Sri Lanka at Harare Sports Club yesterday.
The hosts posted 191/8 when they were asked to bat first in the decider and Sri Lanka, who were skittled for just 80 in the previous game, chased down the target in style to win by eight wickets and take the series 2-1.
“Certainly one of those targets batting first the Sports Club hasn’t seen too many times, so we were very pleased with what we put on the board,” said captain Sikanda Raza.
“Overall I thought the batting unit clicked, and the intent and the shots we played today was certainly something to hold our heads high.
“Thought 191 was a very good score on that wicket. Credit where it’s due, Sri Lanka batted really well. Certainly the bowling unit including myself, will hold our hands up and say we weren’t up to the mark today.
“They batted well but we could have done better.
“The standard of cricket, whether with bat or ball. Here and there we’ve had a few bad moments, but that shouldn’t take away the other good things we’ve done.”
Zimbabwe started strongly and Tadiwanashe Marumani was the more destructive of the two openers − striking a four and a six in the second over to get going.
Losing his opening partner in the third over did little to slow him down.
In fact, Sean Williams’ arrival helped Zimbabwe surge further and end the PowerPlay on 58/1.
Williams holed out in the seventh over but his departure too did little to slow Zimbabwe down as they continued to score at nearly 10 runs an over with Raza smacking a big six and a four in the ninth over.
Both batters continued to attack and shared a 56-run stand.
It was brought to an end when Raza was out caught trying to reverse-sweep Dushan Hemantha in the 13th over.
Marumani carried on to bring up his fifty but was out stumped in the 15th over in his quest to sustain Zimbabwe’s charge.
Zimbabwe fought for every inch throughout this tour, and they will certainly count themselves unlucky to have come away with just the solitary win across five matches.
Player of the match Kamil Mishara said:
“It’s a privilege to win a game for my country, I just feel very good. There was pressure of course, but the coaching staff just told me to play my normal game. I just wanted to get into my rhythm and then played my normal game.”
Brief Scores: Zimbabwe 191/8 from 20 overs (Tadiwanashe Marumani 51, Sikandar Raza 28; Dushan Hemantha 3-38, Dushmantha Chameera 2-33) lost to Sri Lanka 193/2 from 17.4 overs (Kamil Mishara 73*, Kusal Perera 46*; Brad Evans 1-28, Sikandar Raza 1-29) by 8 wickets − Sports Reporter/Cricinfo/Cricbuzz
