Saturday Sep 06, 2025
Saturday Sep 06, 2025
Friday, 5 September 2025 00:20 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Dushmantha Chameera at the post-match press conference
Zimbabwe players shake hands with Kamindu Mendis and Dushan Hemantha after Sri Lanka had won the first T20I at Harare by 4 wickets
By Sa’adi Thawfeeq
One of the best things to happen to Sri Lanka is that fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera is fit and firing on all cylinders for them.
Chameera’s career has been dogged by injuries which saw him miss crucial matches as well as tournaments for his country. But having gone through a period of rehabilitation and a strong fitness regime he is back and bowling fast and making the ball talk.
In back-to-back matches for Sri Lanka against Zimbabwe he has played a crucial role in his team winning by taking back-to-back three-wicket hauls at crucial stages of the game.
Chameera followed his 3/52 in the second ODI with figures of 3/30 in the first T20I on Wednesday that saw Zimbabwe restricted to a total of 175 on a track that was used for the ODIs.
Addressing the post-match press conference, Chameera said, “We played the ODI match on this wicket and we knew it was a flat track and it would be high scoring. It was a 200 plus wicket but we managed to keep them down to 175 because we bowled well in the middle period.”
“We had a clear plan because on one side the wind was heavy so we tried to bowl to that side and we executed it well. In T20 cricket, execution is important. In the first power play I planned to bowl on a good length mixing the slow balls. At the death, the plan was to bowl on one side because the wind was strong and to make the batsman play against it. I mixed the yorkers and slow balls and bowled a bit wider. That plan worked for us.”
Chameera praised the role played by Kamindu Mendis. “It was a special innings. He batted really well after we lost four wickets in the middle period. He had lots of pressure but he handled it very well to win the match for us. It was a truly remarkable innings.”
Kamindu slotted at No. 6 came to bat when Sri Lanka had lost four wickets for 10 runs after an opening partnership of 98 between Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis. While he was at the wicket, Nuwanidu Fernando and Dasun Shanaka also got out, adding to the pressure.
With 34 required off the last three overs, Kamindu found an able partner in debutant Dushan Hemantha and the two carried Sri Lanka to victory with an unbroken stand of 35 off 13 balls. The 26 runs Kamindu took off a Tinotenda Maposa over changed the complexion of the game which Zimbabwe were in control of and paved the way for Sri Lanka’s win. Kamindu finished unbeaten on 41 scored off just 16 balls, inclusive of four sixes and a solitary four. Hemantha in the squad because of the injury to Wanindu Hasaranga played his role to perfection scoring 14* to add to his economic figures of 1/28 off 4 overs.
“The next two games are going to be very important for us because we are going to the Asia Cup after that. We have to win every game,” said Chameera.
The second and third T20I will be back-to-back matches played on Saturday and Sunday.
