SL vs ZIM | 1st ODI: Williams’ century, Chakabva’s brilliant fifty helps Zimbabwe set up 297 for win

Experienced Zimbabwe all-rounder Sean Williams hit his fifth ODI century as he made 100 off just 87 balls to take his team to a great total of 296 in the first ODI of the three-match series against Sri Lanka taking place at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele.

Along with Williams, Regis Chakabav also played a great knock although he missed out on his first ODI century yet again, getting out on 72 off 81 balls. Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine won the toss and decided to bat first. His decision was vindicated by his openers in debutant Takudzwanashe Kaitano and Chakkabva.

The openers added 80 for the first wicket in the first 15 overs before Kaitano was trapped leg before wicket by leg spinner Jeffrey Vandersay who is making his comeback to the Sri Lankan team with this game. Another wicket fell quickly as Zimbabwe skipper Ervine was removed by Kamindu Mendis.

Post the second wicket, Williams walked in and added 50 for the fourth wicket with Chakabva before the latter was caught by Kusal Mendis off Vandersay. However, without getting perturbed by that, Williams kept going on and added 42 with Wesley Madhevere and then 46 with Sikandar Raza.

Just after Raza’s dismissal, Ryan Burl also got out but Williams kept up the march. However, even he was removed on the first ball of the 50th over, but not before reaching his fifth century which came in just 86 balls with the help of nine fours and two sixes.

In that every over, 10 runs were scored off the next five balls and one more wicket was lost Zimbabwe finished on 296-9. For Sri Lanka, Chamika Karunaratne picked two wickets while Vandersay and Nuwan Pradeep picked two each.

In the chase, the Lankan Lions had reached 105-2 at the end of the 17th over of their innings at the time of publishing this. They needed 193 off 198 balls with eight wickets in hand.

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