Sri Lanka registered a much needed five-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in their tri-nation ODI series encounter at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka Sunday.
Chasing a relatively low target of 199 runs, Sri Lanka reached their destination in 44.5 overs. All-rounder Thisara Perera was unbeaten on 39 off 26 balls while captain Dinesh Chandimal was not out on 38 off 71 deliveries.
The Lankans made a steady start to their innings before losing their first wicket in the 10th over. Opener Upul Tharanga was the first man to go after scoring 17 off 34 balls.
Opener Kusal Perera also lost his wicket just before reaching his 10th ODI half-century as he was caught by substitute wicket-keeper Ryan Murray. Perera’s 49-run knock was composed with four fours and a six.
Sri Lanka lost a couple of wickets after No 3 batsman Kusal Mendis’ (36 off 44 balls) departure, but a 57-run partnership between Chandimal and Thisara for the unbroken sixth wicket sealed victory for Sri Lanka as they maintained their hope of reaching the grand finale.
Earlier, Zimbabwe captain Graeme Cremer elected to bat first.
Zimbabwe made a good start at the top of the order as openers Hamilton Masakadza and Solomon Mire put on 44 in 9.5 overs before Masakadza lost his wicket in the last ball of the 10th over after scoring 20 off 30 balls.
Zimbabwe then lost three quick wickets – Craig Ervine (two), Mire (21) and in-form Sikandar Raza (nine) – as the trio went back to the pavilion in quick succession.
Experienced middle-order batsman Brendan Taylor then formed a 66-run partnership with all-rounder Malcolm Waller for the fifth wicket. The partnership was broken in the 29th over when Sri Lanka wicket-keeper Niroshan Dickwella took a good catch of Lakshan Sandakan’s spin bowling. Waller scored 24 with two fours.
Taylor posted his 32nd ODI half-century and eventually scored 58 off 80 balls with half a dozen boundaries. Cremer scored 34 in the late stage of the innings but Zimbabwe failed to cross the 200-mark as they managed to score only 198 losing all of their wickets with six overs still remaining.
Thisara was the best bowler for Sri Lanka as he picked up four wickets conceding 33 runs while seamer Nuwan Pradeep bagged three giving away 28 runs.
Perera was adjudged man of the match for his all-round performance.
Host Bangladesh have won both their matches with a bonus point and in the process qualified for the final. Zimbabwe will face Bangladesh in their next match at the same venue Tuesday.
Zimbabwe had a chance to qualify for the final if they had beaten Sri Lanka Sunday. They still have another chance when they face Bangladesh.
BRIEF SCORE
Sri Lanka 202/5 in 44.5 overs (Kusal 49, Thisara 39*) beat Zimbabwe 198 in 44 overs (Taylor 58, Thisara 4/33) by five wickets
Zimbabwe faced their first defeat in ODIs against Sri Lanka since last July and now find themselves in the situation of being ruled out of the multi-nation series
Sri Lanka kept themselves alive in the tri-nation ODI series after defeating Zimbabwe by five wickets Sunday at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka. Win by the island nation has added excitement to the tournament as both Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe now need to win their respective games against host Bangladesh in order to confirm a berth in the grand finale. Zimbabwe among three matches have one win, against Sri Lanka in their first encounter. And Sri Lanka bagged their sole win Sunday in three attempts.
This has given some light to the series which hardly had any hype, except when Bangladesh played. With the turn of events, spectators will now have to wait till the last game of the league phase, between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka Thursday, to see the second finalist of the competition.
Dinesh Chandimal, standing as Sri Lanka captain in place of the injured Angelo Mathews, said the dressing room is relieved at being able to make a comeback in the series after starting with two back-to-back defeats. The wicketkeeper-batsman believes Sri Lanka’s batting will be key when they take on Bangladesh in their do-or-die affair.
“It was tough, especially after the first two games. It is tough for any team. We got only four games. When you win first two games you have a good chance in the tournament. But we discussed so many things. We had something up our sleeve and we got the result we wanted,” said Chandimal following the game Sunday.
“We have three more days before the Bangladesh game. As a batting unit, we need to click. Once we get a start, we need to score big. That’s the main concern. We need to discuss among ourselves and we will come up with good plans,” the Sri Lanka captain added.
Meanwhile Zimbabwe faced their first defeat in ODIs against Sri Lanka since last July and now find themselves in the situation of being ruled out of the multi-nation series.
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