Sri Lanka kicked off the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe with a heart-pounding victory in the first T20I at Harare Sports Club, thanks to a sensational run-chase led by Kamindu Mendis’ explosive finish.
After winning the toss, Sri Lanka opted to bowl first, a decision that initially seemed challenging as Zimbabwe’s opening batter Brian Bennett played a scintillating knock of 81 runs off 57 balls, smashing 12 fours. His aggressive innings helped Zimbabwe post a solid 175/7 in their 20 overs.
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However, Sri Lanka’s speedster Dushmantha Chameera kept the hosts in check with a brilliant spell, claiming 3 wickets for 30 runs in his 4 overs. His pace and accuracy disrupted Zimbabwe’s momentum, preventing them from running away with a bigger total.
In response, Sri Lanka’s chase got off to a flying start, courtesy of a dynamic 96-run opening partnership between Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis. Nissanka was in scintillating form, scoring 55 runs off 32 balls, including 4 fours and 2 sixes, while Mendis contributed a steady 38 off 35 balls with 4 fours.
The duo’s aggressive strokeplay put Sri Lanka in a commanding position at 96/0. However, the chase took a dramatic turn as Zimbabwe’s bowlers fought back, triggering a collapse that saw Sri Lanka slump to 106/4, losing four wickets for just 10 runs in quick succession.
With the pressure mounting, Kamindu Mendis stepped up with a match-defining performance. His unbeaten 41 off just 16 balls, featuring a four and 4 towering sixes, turned the game in Sri Lanka’s favor.
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Mendis’ blistering knock, combined with his composure under pressure, steered the Lions to victory in a thrilling finish, reaching the target with five balls to spare.
Result
| Batsmen | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Bennett | b Dushmantha Chameera | 81 | 57 | 12 | 0 | 142.11 |
| Tadiwanashe Marumani | c Nuwanidu Fernando b Dushmantha Chameera | 7 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Sean Williams | lbw b Mahesh Theekshana | 14 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 127.27 |
| Sikandar Raza | c Pathum Nissanka b Dushan Hemantha | 28 | 22 | 2 | 1 | 127.27 |
| Ryan Burl | b Dushmantha Chameera | 17 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 113.33 |
| Tashinga Musekiwa | c Kamindu Mendis b Nuwan Thushara | 11 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 183.33 |
| Tony Munyonga | run out (Kamindu Mendis) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Brad Evans | not out | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Tinotenda Maposa | not out | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 200.00 |
| Extras | 15 (b 1 , lb 2 , nb 0, w 12, pen 0) |
| Total | 175/7 (20 Overs, RR: 8.75) |
| Bowling | O | M | R | W | Econ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nuwan Thushara | 4 | 0 | 47 | 1 | 11.75 | |
| Maheesh Theekshana | 4 | 0 | 38 | 2 | 9.50 | |
| Dushmantha Chameera | 4 | 0 | 30 | 3 | 7.50 | |
| Dushan Hemantha | 4 | 0 | 28 | 1 | 7.00 | |
| Kamindu Mendis | 2 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 7.50 | |
| Dasun Shanaka | 2 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 7.00 | |
| Batsmen | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pathum Nissanka | c Tadiwanashe Marumani b Tinotenda Maposa | 55 | 32 | 4 | 2 | 171.88 |
| Kusal Mendis | c Tinotenda Maposa b Richard Ngarava | 38 | 35 | 4 | 0 | 108.57 |
| Kusal Perera | c Brian Bennett b Richard Ngarava | 4 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Nuwanidu Fernando | c Sikandar Raza b Blessing Muzarabani | 7 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 77.78 |
| Charith Asalanka | c Timycen Maruma b Sikandar Raza | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Kamindu Mendis | not out | 41 | 16 | 1 | 4 | 256.25 |
| Dasun Shanaka | c Tony Munyonga b Brad Evans | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Dushan Hemantha | not out | 14 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 155.56 |
| Extras | 11 (b 3 , lb 4 , nb 2, w 2, pen 0) |
| Total | 177/6 (19.1 Overs, RR: 9.23) |
| Bowling | O | M | R | W | Econ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Ngarava | 4 | 0 | 19 | 2 | 4.75 | |
| Blessing Muzarabani | 3.1 | 0 | 41 | 1 | 13.23 | |
| Tinotenda Maposa | 4 | 0 | 47 | 1 | 11.75 | |
| Brad Evans | 3 | 0 | 30 | 1 | 10.00 | |
| Sikandar Raza | 4 | 0 | 26 | 1 | 6.50 | |
| Sean Williams | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7.00 | |
