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Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera Power-Show Take Sri Lanka Over The Line In Series Decider Vs ZIM

Arnav Chopra

Sri Lanka Won The 3rd T20I (Source: @OfficialSLC/X.com)Sri Lanka Won The 3rd T20I (Source: @OfficialSLC/X.com)

The third T20I between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe saw the visitors claim a handsome eight-wicket win, courtesy of an outstanding performance by Kamal Nishaara, who scored an unbeaten 73. Chasing 192 for victory, Sri Lanka made merry of the chase, finishing in just 17.4 overs, where they only lost two wickets as they claimed the series 2-1.

Here, we take a look at the highlights of the third T20I between Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka, as it panned out at Harare Sports Club in Harare on Sunday, September 7.

Zimbabwe Post Strong Total Of 191 After Collective Batting Effort

In the series decider on Sunday, Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bowl first. Zimbabwe opened with Brian Bennett, who departed for 13 courtesy of Dushmanta Chameera. However, the disappointment didn't last long for Zimbabwe, as Tadiwanashe Marumani played a brilliant innings, scoring 51 off 44 deliveries, including six boundaries and a maximum.

While Sean Williams showed promise after scoring 23 off 11 deliveries, the Zimbabwe side stayed in the game, hitting regular boundaries and accumulating runs. Following Williams' departure, skipper Sikandar Raza made it to the centre and played a fine 28-run knock off just 18 balls, keeping Zimbabwe in the hunt with three boundaries and a six.

Following Raza's departure, Zimbabwe had 121 runs on the board for the loss of three wickets after 12.2 overs. Marumani completed his half-century but departed within the next two overs. Subsequently, it was a power-hitting show from Ryan Burl and Tashinga Musekiwa, who scored 26 off 15 and 18 off 12, respectively.

Zimbabwe went on to score 191 for the loss of eight wickets after their 20 overs, where Dushan Hemantha claimed three wickets in his four-over spell, while Chameera was decent with two for 33 in his four overs.

Kamil Mishara Takes Sri Lanka Home By 8 Wickets

Chasing 192 for victory, Sri Lanka faced a daunting target, especially in a series decider. However, they had a clear approach. As the innings began, the Sri Lankan openers, Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis, attacked the Zimbabwean bowlers, finding boundaries, especially in the first few overs, and keeping Sri Lanka ahead in the game.

Nissanka departed for 33 after playing just 20 deliveries, knocked over by Raza, but not before striking four boundaries and a maximum while batting at a strike rate of 165. Mendis played a fine innings too, scoring 30 off 17 balls with three boundaries and a six, with an impressive strike rate of 176.47.

After the departure of these two, Zimbabwe didn't find any luck as Sri Lanka cruised to victory comfortably in just 17.4 overs, all thanks to Kamil Mishara and Kusal Perera, as these two played with all guns blazing, taking on the Zimbabwean bowlers.

Mishara, in particular, was quite wonderful, playing an unbeaten 73-run knock off just 43 balls, with six fours and two maximums, at a strike rate of 169.77. On the other hand, Perera wasn't far behind, scoring 46 not out off 26 balls with four boundaries and two maximums, striking at 176.92, as Sri Lanka cruised to victory by eight wickets with 14 deliveries to spare.

Apart from skipper Sikandar Raza and Evans, no other bowler could claim a wicket, as the Zimbabwean bowlers had a forgettable day on the field. The Sri Lankan batters seized the opportunity, claiming the win and taking the series 2-1 after performing exceedingly well in the decider.