Twitter hails praises for Zimbabwe as they upset the Sri Lankans at their own den

Before Zimbabwe took on the Sri Lankans today at Galle for the 1st ODI in the five-match series, everyone expected the home side to steam roll the lower ranked side. Especially after the end of the first innings when the Sri Lankans posted a healthy total of 316. But, the men in red had other ideas as they chased down the required total in style to create one of the biggest upsets in recent ODI history.

Sri Lanka, after winning the toss had no hesitation in opting to bat first, and after impressive performances from almost all the batters were able to post the daunting total. Gunathilaka continued his good form from the Champions Trophy as he scored a handsome inning of 60 off 77 balls. Kusal Mendis let everyone know why he the spine of the Sri Lankan batting as he played the sheath anchor role for his 80-ball 86.

Upul Tharanga provided the much-required impetus towards the end of the innings with the help of his 73-ball 79. Captain Matthews too chipped in with a 30-ball 43 as Sri Lanka posted the daunting total of 316. The chances of Zimbabwe seemed bleak especially after the fall of wickets of Masakadza and Craig Ervine. But since then, it was one-way traffic for the visitors as Solomon Mire and Sean Williams stitched a counterattacking partnership.

At one point in time, the men in red were cruising at 207-2 from them precariously placed at 46-2. It was all due to the partnership of Mire and Williams. Mire went on to score an explosive century before he was dismissed at 112 while facing just 96 balls, while Williams scored a brisk 69-ball 65.

Raza and Waller enjoyed the spoils as they completed the formality with their dominating partnership, as they ensured Sri Lanka didn’t have a sniff at the tail of Zim. With this win, it only goes to show that no target is safe in the modern age of cricket. Gone are the days when teams felt comfortably placed after posting 300+.

Let us look at how Twitter reacted to the upset

Wow !What a chase by Zim against SL.Have chased down 316 with ease.Always a joy to see them do well. This chase should inspire Zim cricket.

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) June 30, 2017

Outstanding win away @ZimCricketv . Brilliant @kingsoly21 ?? #SLvZIM

— Brendan Taylor (@BrendanTaylor86) June 30, 2017

A wonderful chase by @ZimCricketv. Never easy in Sri Lanka but completely dominated the chase. Only 1 six as well. Well played

— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) June 30, 2017

Angelo Mathews is now the first Sri Lankan captain to lose an ODI against 9 different full member nations. #SLvZIM

— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) June 30, 2017

Highest run chase of 300+ in ODIs on Sri Lankan soil.
322/4 by Zim bt SL today
289/4 by SL bt Pak 2009#SLvZim

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) June 30, 2017

Gave this to @ProfDeano and @RusselArnold69 in the last over. But both predicted that Zimbabwe would win it with a six. Stat ruined. #SLvZim pic.twitter.com/J4N5hiXm8A

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) June 30, 2017

HISTORIC! @ZimCricketv's six-wicket win over @OfficialSLC today is the highest successful chase ever in Sri Lanka, in 296 ODIs #SLvZIM ???? pic.twitter.com/OEWrqUJbzn

— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) June 30, 2017

ICC 11th ranked Zimbabwe becomes the first team to chase a 300+ score in Sri Lanka, beats Sri Lanka by 6 wickets chasing 316 #SLvZim

— Azzam Ameen (@AzzamAmeen) June 30, 2017

Zimbabwe chased down a 300+ target only twice in ODIs

— 328 vs NZ in 2013
— 303 vs NZ in 2015#SLvZIM

— Cricket Chitchat (@CricChitchat) June 30, 2017

So, what went wrong for #SriLanka today against Zimbabwe? The plan was to win this series 5-0 to boost ODI rankings. #SLvZIM

— Island Cricket (@IslandCricket) June 30, 2017

The first ODI side to win chasing 300+ was S Lanka vs Zimbabwe in the 1992 WC @ N Plymouth
Today, 25 yrs later,Zimbabwe did the same#SLvZim

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) June 30, 2017

Sri Lanka at home in recent time.

Defeated Australia 3-0 in Test series
Lost a Test to Bangladesh
Lost an ODI to Zimbabwe#SLvZIM

— DJ Ahmer Najeeb (@AhmerNajeeb) June 30, 2017

Highest targets successfully chased down in ODIs in SL:

317 – Zim v SL, Galle, 2017 *
289 – SL v Pak, Dambulla, 2009#SLvZIM

— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) June 30, 2017

Teams chasing 300+ in ODIs in Sri Lanka:

33 Matches
32 Lost
1 Won

Zimbabwe make history! ?? #SLvZim
Via @ESPNcricinfo pic.twitter.com/xd8wK4r6DO

— DJ Ahmer Najeeb (@AhmerNajeeb) June 30, 2017

Who is the happiest person after ZIM beat Sri Lanka
01.ZIM skipper
02. SL sport minister
03. ZIM cricket chairman
04. ZIM sport min #SLvZIM pic.twitter.com/sOHx83tWtl

— Manjula Basnayake (@BasnayakeM) June 30, 2017