Twitter Reactions: Zimbabwe win 4th ODI against Sri Lanka to keep the series alive

Zimbabwe have now leveled the series against Sri Lanka by winning the fourth One Day International in Hambantota by a margin of four wickets. After winning the toss, Sri Lanka opted to bat first and put up a total of 300-6 from the 50 overs. Niroshan Dickwella and Danushka Gunathilaka put up yet another record opening partnership of 203 on the board. While Dickwella scored an exceptional 116 from 118 balls, his opening partner contributed with a 101-ball 87.

The duo became the first in ODI history to score consecutive double century partnerships. In the third ODI they had put up an outstanding 229-run stand with Dickwella scoring 102 and Gunathilaka 116. Coming in at No. 3, Angelo Matthews scored a 40-ball 42, while Upal Tharanga and Wanidu Hasaranga scored 22 and 19 each to help the hosts amass a huge score.

However, Sri Lankan bowlers were very disappointing on the day. Zimbabwe openers started their chase in a decent way. But rain halted the game after 21st over when Zimbabwe’s score was 139/5. Eventually, the target for them was reduced to 209 in 31 overs. And it was Craig Ervine who completely took away the game from Sri Lanka. He played an aggressive innings from the word go and ripped through the Sri Lankan bowlers to guide his side to a comprehensive win.

Craig scored a 55-ball 69. The other contributions were from Solomon Mire who scored a 30-ball 43, Tarisai Musakanda who scored a 23-ball 30 and Hamilton Masakadza who helped with a 36-ball 28. Interestingly, before this series, Zimbabwe had never defeated Sri Lanka in any format away from home. The final match will be a do or die encounter for both the teams.

Here is how Twitter reacted to the game, praising Craig and ridiculing the Sri Lankan bowling.

Zimbabwe defeated Sri Lanka by 4 wickets in a rain affected game. #SLvZIM pic.twitter.com/tGqSlRy3QQ

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) July 8, 2017

Zimbabwe show that their win the other day was no fluke. 2-2 with one to play against Sri Lanka. Promising signs of a settled team improving

— Tristan Holme (@tristanholme) July 8, 2017

Congratulations to @ZimCricketv on an outstanding win over Sri Lanka to level the series 2 all.

— Roshan Abeysinghe (@RoshanCricket) July 8, 2017

Series alive..well done @ZimCricketv #SLvZIM To be fair.. SL were handicapped with the rain and light…could not use Malinga etc.

— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) July 8, 2017

Another great win by @ZimCricketv. @OfficialSLC should have got way more than 300 after the start given by @NiroshanDikka and @danushka_70

— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) July 8, 2017

Well played fellas! @ZimCricketv
One more big one.

— Mpumelelo Mbangwa (@mmbangwa) July 8, 2017

Zim win another Cricket game against Sri Lanka! #SLvZIM pic.twitter.com/OGwV4NzcL3

— Kirsty Coventry (@KirstyCoventry) July 8, 2017

Can't be happier for Zim cricket. They've struggled to stay relevant but team tries incredibly hard despite so many disadvantages #SLvZIm

— Hemant (@hemantbuch) July 8, 2017

For the 3rd time in this series, an ODI total of 300+ did not bring a win for the side batting first. The only 3 occasions in SLanka#SLvZIM

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) July 8, 2017

History in Hambantota. Dickwella & Gunathilaka becomes first pair to share back to back 200 runs partnership for any wicket in ODIs. #SLvZim

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) July 8, 2017

Before this series Zimbabwe had never beaten Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka in any format. Two wins in four games now. #SLvZim

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) July 8, 2017

The fifth ODI will be played at the same venue on Monday