Friday Dec 13, 2024
Friday Dec 13, 2024
Tuesday, 18 January 2022 00:21 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Chamika Gunasekera, who made his debut, could only bowl one over
Nissanka, Chandimal and Asalanka scored half-centuries
Sean Williams scored a cracking century at Pallekelle
By Shamseer Jaleel reporting from Pallekelle
Sri Lanka, with the help of half centuries by Dinesh Chandimal, Charith Asalanka and Pathum Nissanka, drew first blood in the series against Zimbabwe, which was played at the Pallekelle International Cricket Stadium. This was part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League.
Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bat first on a seamer and a batting paradise pitch at Pallekelle. This was the debut game for medium-fast bowler, Chamika Gunasekera (Sri Lanka) and Tukudzwanashe Kaitano (Zimbabwe).
The visitors opened with Tukudzwanashe Kaitano and Regis Chakabva. They put on the runs at a good rate of more than five runs per over. Kaitano looked dangerous with some positive stroke play. Charith Asalanka dropped a sitter at first slip off the bowling of Nuwan Pradeep when Kaitano was on only 19. He batted beautifully, making the maximum out of the opportunity gained out of the dropped catch. Both Kaitano and Chakabva put on 80 runs for the first wicket. Kaitano, who was making his debut, scored a brisk 42 off 50 balls inclusive of 7 boundaries. He was trapped in front of the wicket by the returning Jeffery Vandersay.
Skipper Ervine joined Chakabva. Chakabva, though had a slow start, settled in nicely to score a run-a-ball half century inclusive of five boundaries and one huge six. After putting on 30 runs for the second wicket, Zimbabwe lost their skipper Craig Ervine, who scored nine runs, being clean bowled by Kamindu Mendis. He never looked settled in his short stay at the stumps.
Thereafter, Sean Williams joined Regis Chakabva at the wicket. Zimbabwe lost their third wicket at 160 when they lost out on the opener, Chakabva caught by Mendis off Vandersay for a well-compiled 72 off only 81 balls. Madhevere joined Williams at the stumps. Zimbabwe soon reached 200 runs in their 37th over, having a very healthy rate of five-plus per over. Williams, who batted beautifully, reached his half ton off 52 balls with four boundaries and one huge six. But as soon as the score was on 202, the visitors lost their fourth wicket when they lost out on Madhevere, clean-bowled by the ever-energised Chamika Karunaratne.
Sikandar Raza joined Sean Williams at the stumps, and took the score to 248. Raza was trapped in front of the wicket by Nuwan Pradeep. Ryan Burl joined Sean Williams at stumps. Burl’s innings was short-lived he was caught by skipper Dasun Shanaka off Pradeep for four.
Wellington Mazakada’s stay also was not so long as he was run out for six when Karunaratne was omnipresent, stopping the drive off his own bowling before removing the stumps. Williams reached his century off 86 balls inclusive of nine boundaries and two huge sixes. Williams, going for quick runs, lost his wicket, being clean bowled by Chamika Karunaratne. Blessing Muzarabani too lost his wicket going for quick runs in the last over, giving Chamika his third wicket. Zimbabwe ended their innings on 296 runs off their 50 overs.
Sri Lanka used eight bowlers in order to contain the Zimbabwe outfit who maintained a healthy run rate well over 5.5 runs per over. Gunasekera, the debutant, could only bowl one over before he was taken off the field with a hamstring injury.
Sri Lanka, taking lease of the wicket with Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis, batted well, putting on 40 runs partnership for the first wicket before Kusal Mendis edged one delivery from Muzarabani to be caught behind for 26. Kamindu Mendis joined Nissanka. Both put on 41 runs, and while Kamindu Mendis got a lot of scoring opportunities, he never looked confident, chopping one on to his stumps off Ngarava for 17.
Both Chandimal and Nissanka put on 66 for the third wicket before Nissanka was out caught behind for 75. He batted beautifully for his knock, which consisted of 10 boundaries off only 71 deliveries.
Both Asalanka and Chandimal batted brilliantly, taking calculated risks towards achieving the target. They always kept the required rate within a reachable six-per-over and Sri Lanka always looked comfortable in achieving the same. Both put on a 129-run partnership of for the fourth wicket. But both could not finish off for Sri Lanka as they got out in the later overs going for quick runs. Chandimal got out caught softly for 75. His knock included four boundaries and one gorgeous six. Asalanka scored 71 off 68 deliveries. He hit six boundaries and two sixes. Shanaka and Karunaratne took Sri Lanka through for a five-wicket win with eight balls to spare.
The second one-day in the series will take place today.
