Zimbabwe square the series beating SL despite Dasun’s century

Sri Lanka Captain Dashun Shanka celebrates his century off 93 balls with 7 boundaries and 4 huge sixes 

By Shamseer Jaleel reporting from Pallekelle

Zimbabwe, with the help of half-centuries by skipper Craig Ervine (91) and Sikandar Raza (56), squared the one-day series with a 22-run win over Sri Lanka at the Pallekelle International Cricket Stadium last night. With the series tied at one apiece, the third and final encounter will be played at the same venue on 21 January, which will be the series decider. This was part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League encounter.

Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bat first on a batting paradise at Pallekelle, which was warmly welcomed with sun bathing the area of Central Hills. Sri Lanka made one change replacing Chamika Gunasekera and banking their confidence on fast-bowler Dushmantha Chameera. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe remained unchanged for this game.

Kaitano and Chakabva opened their batting for the visitors with both batting beautifully without any major issues against the fast bowlers, Nuwan Pradeep and Dushmantha Chameera. But the introduction of Vandersay saw Kaitano being clean bowled for 26. Visitors lost their first wicket at 59 runs. Captain Craig Ervine survived an LBW decision after being given an out by umpire Kumara Dharmasena off the bowling of Maheesh Theekshana. The delivery turned too much to miss the stumps and the decision was overruled.

At 90, Zimbabwe lost their second wicket when Chakabva was stumped by Mendis off Vandersay when going for a mighty lofted shot over the bowler’s head. Chakabva scored 47 runs. First One Day centurion, Sean Williams joined skipper Ervine at the stumps. Chandimal dropped a difficult chance off Zimbabwe skipper Ervine when he was on 56.

Both skipper Ervine and Williams batted beautifully to put on 106 runs for the third wicket. They cut, pulled and never gave any chance for the bowlers to settle down. Further, the pitch was full of support for the batsmen. Sean Williams was stumped by Mendis off Vandersay who took his third wicket. Then Williams going for quick runs danced down the track was only able to be caught at the crease being stumped. He faced 56 balls, playing a supporting role for skipper Craig Ervine. Williams hit only three boundaries in his innings.

Madhevere, who joined skipper Ervine, could not stay for too long as he was clean-bowled by Karunaratne for one run. Skipper Ervine who missed out on a big innings went on to make 91 off 98 balls with 10 boundaries. He was bowled by Theekshana. Zimbabwe ended their innings at 302 for 8 with Sikandar Raza making a useful contribution of 56.

Sri Lanka, taking the lease of the wicket, opened once again with Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka but Kusal Mendis could not reach double figures as he was bowled by Chatara for 7. His partner, Pathum Nissanaka, too, did not last long as he edged one Muzarabani delivery to keeper Chakabva for 16. Both Kamindu Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal started the rebuilding of the innings, but that, too, did not last for a long time as half-century-maker in the first one day, Dinesh Chandimal edged one from Muzarabai to Raza. Chandimal scored only 2 runs.

This brought Kamindu Mendis and Charith Aasalanka to the wicket. Both former Richmond College teammates started the re-grouping process after a sudden collapse. But that partnership, too, lasted only for 32 runs between them for the 4th wicket. Asalanka was out for 23.

Both Dasun Shanaka and Kamindu Mendis started the rebuilding of the innings slow and steady. They started their partnership at 63 for 4 and both reached their half-centuries in the 31st over of the game. Kamindu took 72 balls while Dasun was a yard faster scoring the half-century in only 52 balls. They put on 100 runs for the 5th wicket in only 102 balls. Kamindu lost his way going for quick runs at 57 off 82 balls. Sri Lanka lost their 5th wicket at 181.

Skipper Dasun Shanaka and energised Chammika Karunaratne continued the good work done by the earlier partnership. They kept rotating and Dasun played the major role and reached his magical century in 93 balls with 7 boundaries and 4 huge sixes. In fact, he reached his century with a hit of a six off Tandai Chatara. But soon afterwards, he tried another lofted shot off the same bowler trying to live over long-off; he was caught in the deep. Dasun Shanaka, not staying till the end of the innings, was too costly for the hosts. This ended the 66 runs partnership between Shanaka and Chammika Karunaratne. Later in the innings though, Karunaratne batted well for his knock of 34, but Sri Lanka fell short as they lost wickets at very regular intervals. The tail-enders hardly looked like they were clearing the fence for any chance of a victory.

Chief Scores: 

 Zimbabwe 302 for 8 in 50 overs: Craig Ervine 91, Sikandar Raza 56, Sean Williams 48, Regis Chakabava 47, Tukudzwanashe Kaitano 26

Jeffrey Vandersay 3 for 51, Nuwan Pradeep 2 for 74, Chamika Karunaratne 1 for 24, Maheesh Theekshana 1 for 49

Sri Lanka 280 for 9 in 50 overs: Dasun Shanaka 102, Kamindu Mendis 57, Chammika Karunaratne 34, Charith Asalanka 23, Pathum Nissanka 16,

Blessings Muzarabani 3 for 56, Tendai 3 for 52, Richard Nigarava, 1 for 41, Wessley Madhevere 1 for 30. Man of the match: Craig Ervine