Sri Lanka kept their hopes of reaching the final of the T20I Tri-Series alive with a commanding victory over Zimbabwe in the fifth match played today (25th November) at the Rawalpindi International Cricket Stadium.
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza won the toss and opted to bat first on what looked a good batting surface. Sri Lanka made two changes to their playing XI, introducing debutant Pavan Rathnayake—who became the 112th T20I player for Sri Lanka—and recalling Maheesh Theekshana in place of Kamindu Mendis and Vijayakanth Viyaskanth.
Zimbabwe, however, struggled to gain momentum throughout their innings as Sri Lanka’s bowlers kept things tight from the outset. Raza and Ryan Burl top-scored with 37 runs each, guiding their side to a modest total of 146 for 5 in the allotted 20 overs.
Sri Lanka’s spin duo, Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana, were the standout performers with the ball, each picking up two wickets and applying significant pressure in the middle overs. Their disciplined spells ensured Zimbabwe never accelerated to a commanding total.
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Chasing 147, Sri Lanka got off to a flying start thanks to openers Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara, who put on 59 runs off just 34 deliveries for the first wicket. After Mishara’s departure, Nissanka continued his assault with the support of Kusal Mendis, as the pair constructed an unbeaten 89-run partnership that carried Sri Lanka to a comfortable victory.
The hero of the chase was undoubtedly Nissanka, who played one of the finest innings of his T20I career. He remained unbeaten on 98 off 58 balls, narrowly missing out on a well-deserved century. His knock, decorated with 11 fours and 4 sixes at a strike rate of 168.97, completely took the game away from Zimbabwe and showcased his control and power throughout the innings.
With this comprehensive win, Sri Lanka stay firmly in contention for a spot in the final. However, they must now defeat Pakistan in their next match on 27th November to secure their place in the title clash of the T20I Tri-Series.
Result
| Batsmen | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Bennett | hit-wicket b Wanindu Hasaranga | 34 | 26 | 4 | 1 | 130.77 |
| Tadiwanashe Marumani | b Maheesh Theekshana | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 133.33 |
| Dion Myers | b Maheesh Theekshana | 6 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 85.71 |
| Brendan Taylor | b Dasun Shanaka | 14 | 16 | 2 | 0 | 87.50 |
| Sikandar Raza | c Kusal Perera b Wanindu Hasaranga | 37 | 29 | 5 | 1 | 127.59 |
| Ryan Burl | not out | 37 | 26 | 5 | 1 | 142.31 |
| Tashinga Musekiwa | not out | 6 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 42.86 |
| Extras | 8 (b 1 , lb 4 , nb 1, w 2, pen 0) |
| Total | 146/5 (20 Overs, RR: 7.3) |
| Bowling | O | M | R | W | Econ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maheesh Theekshana | 4 | 0 | 23 | 2 | 5.75 | |
| Dasun Shanaka | 4 | 0 | 36 | 1 | 9.00 | |
| Dushmantha Chameera | 4 | 0 | 26 | 0 | 6.50 | |
| Wanindu Hasaranga | 4 | 0 | 23 | 2 | 5.75 | |
| Eshan Malinga | 4 | 0 | 33 | 0 | 8.25 | |
| Batsmen | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pathum Nissanka | not out | 98 | 58 | 11 | 4 | 168.97 |
| Kamil Mishara | c Wellington Masakadza b Brad Evans | 12 | 15 | 2 | 0 | 80.00 |
| Kusal Mendis | not out | 25 | 25 | 1 | 1 | 100.00 |
| Extras | 13 (b 1 , lb 2 , nb 0, w 10, pen 0) |
| Total | 148/1 (16.2 Overs, RR: 9.06) |
| Bowling | O | M | R | W | Econ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Ngarava | 3.2 | 0 | 44 | 0 | 13.75 | |
| Tinotenda Maposa | 2 | 0 | 29 | 0 | 14.50 | |
| Brad Evans | 4 | 0 | 36 | 1 | 9.00 | |
| Sikandar Raza | 4 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 4.25 | |
| Wellington Masakadza | 3 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 6.33 | |
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