RAWALPINDI: A disciplined Zimbabwe side pulled off a major upset by defeating Sri Lanka by 67 runs in the second match of the Pakistan-hosted T20I tri-series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
Chasing a target of 163, Sri Lanka’s batting lineup collapsed to just 95 all out in their 20 overs, suffering a heavy defeat in their opening game of the tournament. Captain Dasun Shanaka fought a lone battle, scoring a hard-fought 34 off 25 balls with two sixes and two fours. Apart from him, only returning batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa (11) managed to reach double digits.
For Zimbabwe, Brad Evans led the bowling attack brilliantly, claiming three wickets for only nine runs in his four overs. Richard Ngarava followed with two wickets, while Tinotenda Maposa, Graeme Cremer, Ryan Burl, and Sikandar Raza took one each.
Earlier, after being asked to bat first, Zimbabwe posted 162/8 in their 20 overs despite a tight and damaging spell from Wanindu Hasaranga, who dented their middle order.
Zimbabwe’s innings began shakily as opener Tadiwanashe Marumani (10) fell on the first ball of the fourth over with just 26 runs on the board.
The trouble deepened when experienced Brendan Taylor (11) was bowled by Eshan Malinga in the sixth over, leaving them at 40/2.
Skipper Sikandar Raza then joined Brian Bennett at the crease, and the pair steadied the innings with a crucial 61-run stand for the third wicket. Hasaranga eventually ended the partnership in the 13th over, dismissing Bennett, who top-scored with a composed 49 off 42 balls, hitting five fours and a six.
Raza added another 23 runs alongside Ryan Burl, who made an 11-ball 18 before falling to Hasaranga in the 16th over. The same over also saw Tony Munyonga depart for a golden duck.
These quick wickets left Zimbabwe at 124/5 in 15.5 overs, but Raza continued to counterattack and kept the innings moving. His resistance ended in the 18th over when Dushmantha Chameera dismissed him thanks to a sharp catch from Shanaka.
Raza played a key role with a 32-ball 47, hitting three fours and two sixes.
Tashinga Musekiwa added handy late runs with an 11 off seven balls before Malinga removed him in the 19th over.
Hasaranga was Sri Lanka’s standout bowler with 3/32, while Malinga took two wickets. Theekshana and Chameera picked up one wicket each.
