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Madushanka's Hat-Trick Overpowers Sikandar Raza's Valiant Knock As Sri Lanka Nail 7-Run Win

Akshita Patel

Sri Lanka faced Zimbawe in 1st ODI [Source: @ICC/X.com]Sri Lanka faced Zimbawe in 1st ODI [Source: @ICC/X.com]

In an entertaining first ODI of the 3-game series, Sri Lanka beat Zimbabwe by 7 runs in the final over. The Lankans had set up a strong total of 298 runs in the first inning. While Zimbabwe produced a fitting reply led by Sikandar Raza, the tail choked in the final over as a hat-trick sealed the deal for Sri Lanka.

Pathum Nissanka, Janith Liyanage Guide Sri Lanka To Par Total

Sri Lanka batted first and lost opener Nishan Madushka early as the latter departed on a 13-ball duck. Ngarava got the initial breakthrough, and Zimbabwe sensed blood. However, Pathum Nissanka used his experience to rebuild the innings with a brilliant 76 off 92 balls knock.

Kusal Mendis and Samarawickrama contributed with 38 and 35 runs, respectively. But Sri Lanka clearly needed an impactful finishing punch to get to a par total.

And Janith Liyanage stepped up to the occasion perfectly. He scored 70* off 47 balls quickly with 6 fours and 3 towering sixes. Kamindu Mendis also supported his partner from the other end with a quickfire 57 off 36 balls. 

With that blazing finish, Sri Lanka managed to score 298 runs at the end of the first 50 overs. For Zimbabwe, Ngarava picked up 2 wickets, while Muzarabani, Trevor Gwandu, Sikandar Raza and Sean Williams picked up a wicket each.

Sikandar Raza’s Fighting Knock In Vain As Sri Lanka Pulls Off A Heist

While the chase was tough, Zimbabwe opener Ben Curran set a strong foundation with 70 off 90 balls, including 8 fours. However, Brian Bennett and Brendon Taylor couldn’t trouble the scoreboard, getting dismissed on a duck each. 

With pressure building, captain Sean Williams weathered the storm, hitting a gritty 57 off 54 balls. With the momentum shifting, Sikandar Raza and Tony Munyonga knitted a notable partnership of 128 runs and stretched the game to the wire.

However, just when Zimbabwe were getting comfortable, Raza, batting on 92 off 87 balls, fell prey to Dilshan Madushanka in the final over with 10 runs still left on the board to chase. 

That wicket triggered an ugly collapse as Madushanka dismissed Brad Evans and Richard Ngarava to claim a stunning hat-trick out of nowhere.

The hat-trick sealed the deal as Sri Lanka held their nerves to claim a narrow yet defining 7-run victory. Madushanka grabbed 4 wickets, while Asitha Fernando contributed significantly with 3 wickets.

With that victory, Sri Lanka leads the 3-game ODI series by 1-0.