Kamindu Mendis’ blazing knock puts Sri Lanka one-up

Thursday, 4 September 2025 02:19 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

26 runs in 18th over seals the first T20I for Sri Lanka

Kamindu Mendis blazed away to 41* off 16 balls inclusive of four sixes to pilot Sri Lanka to a four-wicket win against Zimbabwe in the first T20 International played at the Harare SC grounds on Wednesday.

Sri Lanka needed each and every one of those 41 runs Kamindu scored, after they had collapsed from 96-1 to 125-5, and then 142-6. Sri Lanka were off to a good start with Pathum Nissanka going berserk in the power play and ensuring Sri Lanka raced to 65 in the first six overs. Nissanka (55 off 32 balls, 4 fours, 2 sixes) and Kusal Mendis (38 off 35) added 96 for the opening wicket and were cruising at 10-over mark, but things changed dramatically as Zimbabwe fought back and picked 4 wickets for 10 off 19 balls as Sri Lanka suffered a stunning middle order collapse.

The game was in the balance and had Brad Evans held on to a tough chance off Kamindu when he was on 4 then things may have been different. As it turned out Kamindu was the key for Sri Lanka and him smashing Tinotenda Maposa for 26 runs in the 18th over sealed the game in their favour.

Earlier, Zimbabwe invited to bat first finished with a solid score of 175-7. They got off a decent start, as Brian Bennett got a few streaky boundaries. However, wickets fell from the other end. The hosts got a bit of a partnership going between Bennett and Sikander Raza, as they kept the scoring rate up even after the power play. But things stalled once Raza holed out in the deep. Bennett tried his best to keep the ante up as he top-scored with an impressive 81 off 57 balls (12 fours), but Zimbabwe lost a flurry of wickets towards the end with Dushmantha Chameera picking up 3/30.

Kamindu Mendis took the Player of the Match award. The second match of the series will be played on Saturday at the same venue.