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Liyanage-Mendis Mayhem: Top Partnerships For Sri Lanka Against ZIM In Away ODIs

Arnav Chopra

Janith Liyanage and Kamindu Mendis (Source: @OfficialSLC/X.com)Janith Liyanage and Kamindu Mendis (Source: @OfficialSLC/X.com)

The Sri Lankan side has a long history of successful ODIs, having consistently demonstrated their prowess with outstanding partnerships. From Arjuna Ranatunga's heroics to Sanath Jayasuriya's masterclass, Sri Lankan batters have consistently displayed their class and persistence.

The 1996 World Cup champions have often done their bit, as many of the batters have stitched up some outstanding partnerships for Sri Lanka. Therefore, in this article, we will explore the best partnerships ever by Sri Lankan batters against Zimbabwe in one-day cricket in Zimbabwe.

5) 122 – Aravinda de Silva & Roshan Mahanama For 3rd Wicket At Harare, 1994

Featuring in the fifth position on this list is an outstanding partnership between Aravinda de Silva and Roshan Mahanama back in 1994 in Harare for the third wicket. It was the second ODI of the series where Zimbabwe batted first and put up a heavy total of 290 on the board after Alistair Campbell's 131*.

In reply, Sri Lanka gave a solid fight, courtesy of the openers Roshan Mahanama and Aravinda de Silva, who scored 108 and 97 not out, respectively, to stitch a wonderful partnership of 122 runs for the third wicket. Sri Lanka could reach nearly 288 for the loss of eight wickets after the end of their 50 overs, as they lost the game by just a bare margin of two runs in the end.

Mahanama put up a wonderful fight, as his 108 came off 149 deliveries, with six boundaries and a maximum, while de Silva's 97 not out came off 89 balls with five fours and a six in his knock.

4) 137 – Janith Liyanage & Kamindu Mendis For 6th Wicket At Harare, 2025*

In the fourth position is an exemplary stand in the ongoing first ODI between Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka in the 2025 series. Sri Lanka, who were forced to bat first by the Zimbabwean side, had a poor start, losing Nishan Madushka in the fifth over when they had just nine on the board.

Despite that, they put up some excellent runs on the board but lost their way in the middle, as they lost their fifth wicket for 161. However, then came the duo of Janith Liyanage and Kamindu Mendis, who put up a wonderful fight, scoring 137 runs for the sixth wicket in Harare, as the game moved completely in Sri Lanka's favour.

They ended up scoring 298 after completing their 50 overs. While Mendis lost his wicket for 57 after being bowled by Richard Ngarava, facing 36 deliveries, scoring four boundaries and two maximums. On the other hand, Liyanage remained unbeaten on 70 after facing just 47 balls, as he thumped three maximums and six boundaries in his knock, while batting at a strike rate of 148.94.

3) 143 – Aravinda de Silva & Arjuna Ranatunga For 4th Wicket At Harare, 1994

The third position on this list is occupied by another handy partnership between Aravinda de Silva and the former Sri Lankan skipper and legendary Arjuna Ranatunga. It was from the same series as the fifth-position partnership during the 1994 tour.

Sri Lanka batted first in the third ODI, and this time Roshan Mahanama could only score 40, but Aravinda de Silva finally managed to achieve a century in this game, where he scored 107 not out off just 100 balls, with nine boundaries and a maximum. Whereas skipper Ranatunga played his knock, scoring 85 off 83 deliveries with six boundaries, as Sri Lanka achieved a mammoth total of 296 in this encounter

 Courtesy of this fourth-wicket partnership between Aravinda de Silva and Ranatunga of 143 runs, Sri Lanka were ahead in this game, as they then knocked over the Zimbabwean side for just 105 in Harare, winning the game and the series by a margin of 191 runs and 2-1, respectively.

2) 144 – Mahela Jayawardene & Romesh Kaluwitharana For 3rd Wicket At Harare, 1999

Now moving to the number two position on this list, which is held by former Sri Lankan greats, Mahela Jayawardene and Ramesh Kaluwitharana. The year was 1999, as Sri Lanka toured Zimbabwe for a five-match ODI series. In the fourth ODI of the series, Zimbabwe batted first and put 260 runs on the board.

Whereas in reply, Sri Lanka chased the score down easily in 44.4 overs with just four wickets lost, as the duo of Ramesh Kaluwitharana and Mahela Jayawardene posted an outstanding partnership of 144 runs for the third wicket, where Kaluwitharana scored 90 and was unfortunately knocked over by Henry Olonga on 99 after facing 86 deliveries with 11 fours and a maximum.

While Jayawardene was sent back by Eddo Brandes for 63 after facing 80 balls with six boundaries. In the end, Russell Arnold (42*) and Tillakaratne Dilshan (20*) came in handy as Sri Lanka achieved the score and earned a crucial victory by six wickets and 32 balls to spare, chasing down 261 in Harare.

1) 160 – Tillakaratne Dilshan & Upul Tharanga For 1st Wicket At Harare, 2010

Now, finally moving to the number one spot on this list, which Tillakaratne Dilshan and Upul Tharanga hold. In 2010, Sri Lanka toured Zimbabwe for a tri-series that also involved India. However, India couldn't make it to the final as Sri Lanka were facing Zimbabwe in the final in Harare. Zimbabwe batted first and were bowled out for just 199, leaving Sri Lanka to chase down 200 in 50 overs.

The match went down without any climax as the duo of Tharanga and skipper Dilshan stole the show with their blazing shots. Tharanga scored 72 and was run out, unfortunately, after facing 79 balls with eight boundaries and a maximum. In comparison, Dilshan proved his mettle again by scoring 108* off 102 balls with 14 boundaries at a strike rate of 105.88 as they stayed together for an outstanding 160-run opening stand.

In the end, Sri Lanka chased the score down with comfort, as they only required 34.4 overs and just lost one wicket on the way, winning the game by a margin of nine wickets and 92 deliveries to earn this match and grab the Tri-series title. This game really reminded everyone of Sri Lanka's batting prowess as they chased the score comfortably, thanks to this opening partnership that steamrolled Zimbabwe at their home, while earning the prestigious title.