Monday Dec 15, 2025
Monday Dec 15, 2025
Wednesday, 26 November 2025 00:16 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
RAWALPINDI: Pathum Nissanka returned to his best form scoring an undefeated 98 off 58 balls and Sri Lanka finally got their act together to notch up a clinical victory by 9 wickets against Zimbabwe at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium yesterday to keep their hopes of reaching the final of the T20I Tri-Series alive.
It was Sri Lanka’s first win after five defeats in the T20I format and they will need to beat Pakistan in their final league game on Thursday to qualify for the final.
Zimbabwe’s total of 146-5 was never going to be enough on a decent batting surface and that proved to be the case. A disciplined bowling performance from the Sri Lankan bowlers restricted Zimbabwe to an under-par score. In response, Pathum Nissanka took his side off to a flier. Kamil Mishara fell against the run of play for 12 after laying the foundation for the innings with a stand of 59 off 34 balls with Nissanka. By then, Sri Lanka were already cruising. The Zimbabwean spinners did apply a bit of brakes but there was no real scoreboard pressure on the Lankans as the duo of Nissanka and Kusal Mendis kept the scoreboard ticking along. Nissanka was quick to pounce on anything loose and he kept finding the boundaries at will. Mendis (25* off 25 balls, 1 four, 1 six) played the perfect foil to him as the duo took their side over the line with 22 balls to spare in an unbroken partnership of 89 off 64 balls. Player of the Match Nissanka missed out on a well-deserved century but his unbeaten 98-run knock off 58 balls (11 fours, 4 sixes) knocked Zimbabwe out of the game.
Another good knock from Ryan Burl (37* off 26 balls, 5 fours, 1 six) gave Zimbabwe something to bowl at. Maheesh Theekshana struck the early blows by getting Tadiwanashe Marumani and Dion Myers. A stand of 36 off 28 balls between Brian Bennett (34) and Brendon Taylor (14) and 36 off 29 balls by Bennett and Sikander Raza (37) followed. But it was Burl who provided the final flourish in an unbroken stand of 42 off 33 balls with Tashinga Musekiwa (6*). Wanindu Hasaranga was good in the middle overs as he took two wickets including the important one of Raza. Raza looked dangerous and just when he was looking to accelerate, he fell. Sri Lanka were excellent at the death as Eshan Malinga and Dushmantha Chameera nailed the yorkers.
