Tri-series 2018 – SL vs ZIM, 2nd ODI, Review: Zimbabwe trump Sri Lanka by 12 runs in a thrilling encounter

Chatara and Raza scripted a dramatic win for their side.

Published - 17 Jan 2018, 19:58 IST | Updated - 17 Jan 2018, 19:58 IST

2 Min Read

Zimbabwe have once again managed to defeat Sri Lanka as the two teams clashed for the first time in the ongoing tri-series in Bangladesh. Graeme Cremer led side prevailed in what was a nerve-wracking thriller in the 100th ODI at Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka. Sikandar Raza was the man who made the difference once again for his team as their opponents lacked the resilience in the end. However, Zimbabwe stay alive in the series with Sri Lanka needing to win their next game against Bangladesh.

Sri Lanka invited Zimbabwe to bat first after winning hoping to extract the early life in the pitch. They took some harsh decisions by leaving out their specialist wicket-keeper Niroshan Dickwella as the returning Dinesh Chandimal took the wicket-keeping gloves. Also, they dropped Danushka Gunathilaka, their regular opener, to accommodate Kusal Mendis and Kusal Perera in the side. On the other hand, Zimbabwe kept faith on the same unit which lost the opening game of the series to the hosts Bangladesh.

Zimbabwe started off really well as their openers added 75 runs in 13 overs. Hamilton Masakadza and Soloman Mire continued their good run against Sri Lankan bowlers. But they lost a couple of quick wickets soon with Craig Ervine once again failing to deliver. Though Masakadza and the experienced Brendan Taylor resurrected comfortably to being the innings once again on track. Unfortunately, the former was snaffled by the part-time bowler Asela Gunaratne on 73 as Taylor also followed soon.

With the score reading 169/4, their best player Sikandar Raza came out to the middle and literally blazed the bowling of the island nation. His unbeaten knock of 81 off just 67 deliveries propelled Zimbabwe to 290 runs after 50 overs, the total which was more than competitive on a turning wicket. Gunaratne was the pick of the bowlers for Sri Lanka as he picked 3/37 in seven overs with Thisara Perera taking a couple.

Thrilling chase

In response, Kusal Perera got Sri Lanka off to a flyer even as they lost Upul Tharanga cheaply. Also, Kusal Mendis was dismissed for a duck to bring the skipper Angelo Mathews on 22 yards. They stitched a crucial but aggressive stand of 85 runs for the third wicket which brought Sri Lanka in the driver’s seat in the game. But the wicket of Perera proved to be the downfall for them as Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal also followed soon after brief cameos. While the left-hander made an enterprising 80, the skipper and the comeback man Chandimal scored 42 and 34 respectively.

It seemed Zimbabwe would win the game easily but Thisara Perera had different ideas as he hammered every Zimbabwean bowler chancing his luck. He was also dropped by Taylor and Perera took full toll of it. He smashed 64 off just 37 deliveries with 5 fours and three sixes but heartbreakingly was sent back by Tendai Chatara in the 47th over with Sri Lanka still needing 16 runs. The same bowler completed the proceedings to seal the thrilling victory by fluffing Dushmantha Chameera by a slower delivery as Zimbabwe won by a margin of only 12 runs.

Chatara was the absolute hero for the team in red as he took key wickets and Raza was deservedly named Man of the Match for his all-round performance once again. His 81 runs gave his team a chance to defend a strong total and then took a key wicket of Kusal Perera to add to the catches of Angelo Mathews and Thisara Perera. All his contributions proved to be the turning point of the game as they registered their first victory in the tri-series.