Sri Lanka break barren overseas series run, beat Zimbabwe 2-0

Monday, 1 September 2025 02:43 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Pathum Nissanka sets up Sri Lanka’s victory with seventh ODI century

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Sri Lanka broke the shackles of not winning an ODI series overseas for 11 years when they beat Zimbabwe by five wickets in the second and final ODI to clinch the two-match series 2-0 at the Harare Sports Club grounds yesterday.

Sri Lanka were again pushed to their limits. They had won the first ODI by seven runs and yesterday, the game went into the final over and they won with three balls to spare.

Sri Lanka’s target was 278, but Zimbabwe never allowed them to get away despite Pathum Nissanka getting his ninth ODI ton (122 off 136 balls, 16 fours). It was left to skipper Charith Asalanka to produce a tough knock (71 off 61 balls, 7 fours) and take his team over the line. With six needed, Asalanka was dismissed, but Sri Lanka had too much quality in their batting and the win never looked in doubt.

Zimbabwe competed hard in both matches but will rue the little moments they could have made a big difference, especially when they dropped Nissanka when he was on 78. In the end, it proved a crucial miss.

Sri Lanka last won an ODI series overseas in 2014 when they beat England 3-2 under the captaincy of Angelo Mathews. Yesterday’s win saw Sri Lanka maintain their unbeaten record of not having lost a single ODI series in Zimbabwe since making their first tour there in 1994.

Sikandar Raza, who has long been a tormentor of Sri Lanka, played another stellar hand to lead Zimbabwe to a decent total of 277-7 after they were invited to bat first. Raza completed back-to-back fifties when he made 59* off 55 balls (5 fours, 1 six) to follow his 92 in the first ODI. Ben Curran also contributed with back-to-back fifties, making 79 off 95 balls (9 fours) at the top of the order. Curran created the base and Raza towards the end took advantage of the platform.

For Sri Lanka, Dushmantha Chameera was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3/52. Asitha Fernando was a little out of sorts, but the slower bowlers were economical.

Nissanka took the Player of the Match and Player of the Series awards.

The two sides will meet in a three-match T20I series commencing at Harare on 3 September.