Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe, Tri-Series 2018, 4th ODI - 5 Talking Points

The Tri-series 2018 in Bangladesh involving Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka has reached that climax when every game seems to be a must-win encounter for Sri Lanka and one will have to say that they have been able to do reasonably well with both bat and ball. The key wickets at the start of the innings followed by middle-order collapse for Zimbabwe had put Islanders right on top after an extended sorry tale.

The bowling all-rounder Thisara Perera responded in style helping his team find the incandescent lost hope back as he troubled the opposition by his mixture of deliveries. Losing three wickets for 56 runs, the experienced campaigner Brendon Taylor responded in right fashion as he fought hard for his 58 runs and added 66 with Waller for the fifth wicket. However, the only piece of resistance for Zimbabwe didn’t last long as wickets kept tumbling and Zimbabwe could only manage to score 199 runs.

In reply, the Sri Lankan team that has been struggling with their batting in last year and a half got off to a flyer, providing the start Lankans were looking. Losing Upal Tharanga for 17, Kusal Mendis joined the party with his counterpart Kusal Perera and managed to put 70 runs together.

Further, Sri Lanka lost wickets in a group but chasing a short target on a batting friendly wicket, it was never going to be a tough task for them. With this, Sri Lanka finally managed to say a good-bye to their losing streak and registered their first win in this tri-series. Here are the 5 Talking Points of today’s encounter:

1. Brendon Taylor got his team to a respectable total

After losing 3 wickets for 56 runs, the responsibility shifted to the experienced Brendon Taylor, who earlier went the Kolpak way eyeing financial issue is finally back and at the age of 31, he is still looking good. This encounter gave him the perfect opportunity to showcase the talent he has and put his case forward one more time.

Brendon fought hard for his 58 runs before he got out to today’s match-winner Thisara Perera. Playing on 58, he wanted to take on the bowlers but unfortunately, couldn’t time the ball and played a shot straight to Upal Tharanga.

2. Thisara Perera- The Main Man

Coming in to bowl the 10th over, Thisara scalped three big wickets to leave Zimbabwe in serious trouble. Stand in skipper Dinesh Chandimal asked Perera to take the new ball and one will have to say, that he responded beautifully. His spell of eight overs brought 4 wickets and he gave just 33 runs at an economy of just above 4.

Further, he also responded to the team’s call with the bat when wickets started to tumble. He played an unbeaten inning of 39 runs from just 26 balls. His performance was a special one not only to boost his confidence but also to notch up the team’s morale.

3. Blessing Muzarabani- Did all he could

There are times when you personally work regressively with full fortitude but collectively the others aren’t able to notch the standards set by you. Same happened with the right-arm-fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani who bowled a dazzling spell of 10 overs and picked 3 important wickets. His scalps were Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendi and wicketkeeper-batsman Niroshan Dickwella. Being 21 years of age, Blessing once again showed that he is a great prospect in Zimbabwe’s bowling setup.

4. Sikandar Raza fails

It has always been noticed that players who start the series will tend to help their side in the following games, unfortunately for Raza, he couldn’t capitalize on his form. In the last encounter between the same sides, he had registered his third ODI ton. However, in this game, he couldn’t carry on from where he left. He got out after playing a loose shot to Sandakan and fell short of a double-digit score.

5. Sri Lanka- Finally Managed a win

In the ongoing tri-series, Sri Lanka lost their first two matches against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh. However, history didn’t repeat itself in the third game and the second game against Zimbabwe. They were absolutely a different team on the given day and thus deserved to win.

Bowling, fielding, batting, Sri Lanka were on point in all the three trades and helped populous to witness what this side is actually capable of. They will be hoping to continue the stint in the coming games and win the title.