ZIM vs SL (Source: @SriLankaTweet/X.com)
In the second ODI of the two-match series between Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka, the visitors came out on top, achieving dominant victories in both games, as both matches went into the final over. On the back of Pathum Nissanka's 122, Sri Lanka chased the score down with three deliveries to spare in the series finale.
Here, we take a look at the highlights of the second ODI of the series between Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka, as it panned out at the Harare Sports Club in Harare on Sunday, August 31.
SL Restricts Zimbabwe To 277 Despite Ben Curran's 79
In the second ODI of the two-match series, the Sri Lankan side won the toss and put the home side Zimbabwe into bat. The Chevrons had a decent start, with Brian Bennett and Ben Curran forming a 55-run partnership for the first wicket, following which Bennett departed for 21.
However, after that, Curran played a gritty knock of 79 off 95 deliveries with nine boundaries, whereas there were some small contributions of 20 runs each from Brendan Taylor and stand-in skipper Sean Williams.
By the end of the innings, it was again the last-match superstar, Sikandar Raza, who stood unbeaten on 59 after facing 55 balls with five fours and one six, leading Zimbabwe to a total of 277 after the end of the 50 overs with seven wickets down, where Clive Madande scored 36 off 36 deliveries.
From the Sri Lankan lineup, Dushmantha Chameera was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets for 52 runs in his two overs, while Asitha Fernando registered two in this encounter.
Pathum Nissanka's Determination Gets Visitors Over The Line In Tense Chase
Chasing 278 for victory, Sri Lanka lost their first wicket in the 11th over, where Nuwanidu Fernando lost his wicket to Brad Evans for just 14, while soon after, Kusal Mendis was the second departure, leaving them with only 68 runs on the board.
Despite the two wickets, Pathum Nissanka kept his calm as he found boundaries one after the other, striking a total of 16 in his knock of 122 after facing 136 balls, as he found runs at a strike rate of 89.71.
The game was clearly looking in the grasp of the visiting side; however, Sadeera Samarawickrama departed for 31, leaving Sri Lanka three down for 146. Despite that, in came the skipper Charith Asalanka, who showed his proper class, facing 61 deliveries for his 71, as he struck seven boundaries in his knock, taking Sri Lanka closer to the target.
In the end, 40 runs were needed off the last 30 overs, following which the chase went on to be 22 off 18, and later it was 12 off 12 with Charith Asalanka and Janith Liyanage at the crease.
However, by the end of the 49th over, Sri Lanka needed two runs off the final over with Asalanka back in the pavilion for 71. Despite that, Sri Lanka chased the score down with three deliveries to spare and five wickets remaining as they sealed the series 2-0 in a tense encounter.
Both Richard Ngarava and Brad Evans claimed two wickets each, but not enough for the home side Zimbabwe to halt the Sri Lankan juggernaut, who claimed a whitewash in Harare. Pathum Nissanka was the star of the show with his fabulous knock of 122.
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