Twitter Reactions: Sri Lanka shatter Zimbabwe's resilience to clinch the victory on the final day at Harare

‘The great battle of resilience and temperament’ – The Harare Test culminated with batsmen of both Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka exhibiting great composure with the willow. However, the visitors emerged as winners after skipper Dimuth Karunaratne drove the ball to steer Sri Lanka to a comprehensive 10-wicket victory.

After a gritty batting performance in the first innings, Zimbabwe ensured that Sri Lanka bowling attack does not plunge misery to their batting force. However, it wasn’t enough for establishing a handsome lead over the ‘Lankan Lions’. Sri Lanka were left with 14 runs to achieve the victory and they completed the formality in a professional manner.

After the top-order trio of Masvaure, Mudzinganyama and Ervine failed to propel Zimbabwe to a stable start, it was the duo of Brendan Taylor and Sean William’s who reinforced their side’s second innings. Taylor stitched a vital 38-run knock before getting nicked to the wicketkeeper off Suranga Lakmal‘s delivery.

Skipper Sean Williams showed great character as he amassed 39 crucial runs before getting dismissed off Kasun Rajitha. Zimbabwe still had the chance to stay glued to the wicket till the end of the day. However, the hosts’ batting tail shattered like a house of cards after the skipper’s departure.

Wicketkeeper Regis Chakabva (26) and Sikandar Raza (17) raised the hopes for Zimbabwe fans by sticking at the wicket for a considerable period. However, the hosts’ second innings was wrapped up at a meagre total of 170 runs, opening the doors of victory for Dimuth Karunaratne and Co.

Angelo Mathews was awarded Player of the Match for his heroics with the willow

Sri Lanka’s bowling line-up trounced on the final day by picking up wickets at regular intervals. Suranga Lakmal emerged as the pick of their bowlers by scalping four wickets in his spell. He was assisted by Lahiru Kumara, who played a vital role in cleaning up Zimbabwe’s lower-order by scalping three wickets. Lasith Embuldeniya also joined the bandwagon by adding two dismissals to his name. Embuldeniya emerged as Sri Lanka’s best bowler in the first innings after he registered a five-wicket haul.

It was an easy task for Sri Lanka as they swiftly cruised to the target of 14 runs in no time. Angelo Mathews hogged the headlines by smashing his maiden double ton in the first innings. Mathew’s impressive knock- flaunting his temperament and technique- was a retaliation to Zimbabwe’s composed batting display in their first innings. The 32-year-old boasted his impressive Test record against the hosts to earn the Player of the Match award at Harare. Zimbabwe skipper Craig Ervine also turned heads in the first innings by stitching an impressive 85-run knock.

Here’s how Twitter reacted after Sri Lanka’s victory:

The SriLanka-Zimbabwe 1st Test another great advertisement for 5-day Test. Sri Lanka bowlers fired with all cylinders to win in the last hour on day 5. Zimbabwe were outstanding, Congratulations Sri Lanka. Test cricket should be 5 days, always. @ICC #ZIMvSL

— Daniel Alexander (@daniel86cricket) January 23, 2020

So all criticising Matthews slow knock where are you ?
Sri Lanka won test, you idiots. #ZIMvSL

— जय (@outside_waist) January 23, 2020

Tests should be 5 days..Proved #ZIMvSL

— Poornama Edirisooriya (@poor9grazus) January 23, 2020

Great effort from Sri Lankan bowlers on day five to take all ten wickets in second innings lead by experienced Lakmal and great to see Kumara coming into the party. #ZIMvSL

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 23, 2020

Zimbabwe did reasonably well with an inexperienced side. They fielded three debutants (one was concussion-subbed by a fourth).

They were the weaker side, so they grinded as hard as they could (518 runs in 240 overs).

Sri Lanka's (inevitable) win has not been easy.#ZIMvSL

— Abhishek Mukherjee (@ovshake42) January 23, 2020

Good captaincy by @IamDimuth . Lahiru kumara inform at that end but dimuth quickly decided to give the ball to embuldeniya because of chakbva defending well to lahiru kumara. Crucial wicket fell at the end #ZIMvSL

— Harshana 💯 (@hash_lk) January 23, 2020

#ZIMvSL

This match is a proof for 5 day Test match is the best 🔥🔥🔥

— Fᴀᴅʜɪʟ Fᴀʀᴇᴇᴢᴹᵃˢᵗᵉʳ (@FadhilFareez) January 23, 2020

Maan #Lakmal deserved that 5-for 😐 #ZIMvSL

— Cham J (@Uppercut07) January 23, 2020

Haven't followed for 4 and half days, but so tempted now… Zimbabwe going down fighting #ZIMvSL

— Vishal (@Vishal_14_) January 23, 2020

Now this is a test match at it's best ! Sri Lanka for the win !!!! #ZIMvSL

— Prabath (@Prabathkv96) January 23, 2020

Congratulations for the victory ! @OfficialSLC #ZIMvSL 💙💛

— ∂αмιηтнα Kσsαℓα ®️ (@DaminthaKosala) January 23, 2020

Srilanka won by 10 wickets with high confident,specilally from Mathew #ZIMvSL

— AnuP MaHapatrA (@am_i_anup) January 23, 2020

Also, Angelo Mathews was brilliant as always.
He does the job for his country since he started playing for Sri Lanka back in 2008.
With average of 40+ in both formats and almost 200 international wickets, he is one of the best cricketers in the world at the moment. #ZIMvSL

— Sakun Sankalana (@Sakun_SD) January 23, 2020

Zimbabwe lose their final wicket just as the final hour is about to start; a lead of only 13! Heartbreak!#ZIMvSL

— Tanzil Khawaja (@TanzilKhawaja) January 23, 2020