As the 2nd ODI between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe is finally over, this was another extremely intense match that featured tons of twists at each moment. With Sri Lanka having come out on top by 5 wickets, it helped them officially end in a series sweep and give them a boat-load of confidence going into bigger tournaments like the Asia Cup coming up. Seeing that they won two nail-biters back-to-back, this shows that a side like this can win at any situation and do it without key pieces, like it was done in these matches. Captain Charith Asalanka deserves a ton of credit because he was facing some heat prior to this series about play under pressure, plus field placement, but has proved them all wrong.
On the other end, this is a massive win for Zimbabwe’s confidence as well because they are finally playing much closer matches and have shown ability to nearly win them. A group that was heavily struggling to stay competitve in matches against these top nations just two months ago, things have slowly changed and only going up from here. Although this series ended with two losses in a row, they are definitely on an upward trajectory of beating other great teams, while possessing some gems, such as Blessing Muzarabani plus Sikandar Raza. Sean Williams has really motivated this group and given them hope due to his captaincy plus underrated leadership. Since the T20I series between these two nations is still ahead of us, it’s first important to discuss key aspects of this match that led to the result.
Zimbabwe: Favorable Score Is Created By This Unit’s Strong Batting Lineup
With Zimbabwe batting first in this match, their group was able to really create a defendable total after getting support from tons of pieces. Opening the batting was Brian Bennett, a right-handed batsman who looked to go big, since he had been very limited in his previous match. Having a very strong start to the innings, he had displayed two very classy boundaries before losing his wicket for 21 runs to experienced bowler Dushmantha Chameera. On the other end, Ben Curran was a massive part of their 55-run opening partnership and carried a huge load during the early part of this innings after staying in there for over 30 overs. Someone who also had another 50+ run combination with star batsman Brendan Taylor, who made them 116/2 after scoring 20, Curran was able to lead his side to a 150-mark before getting caught.
Finishing with 79 runs on 95 deliveries, the control was really there, and he seemed not to force anything during his 9 fours hit. Known for his stability as a left-handed batsman, it was clear to see that he consistently found gaps all around the ground and could run for quick singles or doubles. Sean Williams was batting at 2-down and hit a nice maximum, plus a crisp boundary to get off the mark. Although this couldn’t really be built upon by him, the main middle-order batsman was Sikandar Raza, who helped immensely improve this team’s score. Despite Tony Munyonga getting out in quick succession, Raza made a massive duo with Clive Mandande to help them cross 250. As the 39-year-old Zimbabwe legend had a 59-run knock that included 6 total boundaries, Munyonga added 36 before getting bowled out, and Brad Evans added more runs to finish at 277/7.
Sri Lanka: Bowling Attack Was Very Solid Despite A Few Pieces Not Really Showing Up
Talking about Sri Lanka’s bowlers, this was mostly a day with more positives, even though there were a few tough moments mixed in today. Dusmantha Chameera was the strongest pacer as he picked three wickets and seemed nearly impossible to take on by any Zimbabwe batsmen. Hitting the right length on most deliveries, it helped him lessen opposing players’ range of shot-making and allow just a 5.2 economy in all 10 overs bowled. Janith Liyanage looked very solid as a medium pacer and created a lot of confusion with swing being added as a vital aspect to his game. Having done 7 overs during this match, he allowed just 36 runs and also took an absolutely vital wicket of Brendan Taylor when it seemed like Sri Lanka was losing momentum.
Meanwhile, there were a couple of players who performed worse than how they were expected in this pace attack. One name to mention was Asitha Fernando, as he did pick up two wickets, but was very expensive this game and could have proven to be a little costly. Due to his 7.44 economy, captain Charith Asalanka decided not to give him a final over and stick with Dilshan Madushanka, who had a bigger issue attacking stumps than limiting runs. Although he did get one wicket, his deliveries seemed a little off the middle, and it was easier for Sikandar Raza to hit on him later. For spinners, Maheesh Theekshana once again had an awesome day turning the ball at his own will and allowing a 4.5 economy, while Asalanka mixed in a few vital overs too.
Sri Lanka: Few Batsmen Help Carry The Load To Put This Team In A Winning Position
Looking at Sri Lanka’s batting attack, there were a few real stars of the show that helped them make this match in their favor. Opening batsman Pathum Nissanka looked unstoppable today and really took charge despite many wickets being lost around him. Having a knock of 122 runs on 136 deliveries, he started off with a banger alongside new batsman Nwanidu Fernando. A duo that went for 48 runs before Fernando’s wicket, it was impressive to see Nissanka still strong in this innings after Kusal Mendis departed with 5. Another vital partnership that helped move Sri Lanka along, though, was his 78-run combination with Sadeera Samarawickrama, where both kept being quick between the stumps, plus hitting boundaries. With Samarawickrama being gone for 31, this squad seemed like they were in a little bit of trouble before Charith Aslanka helped take on bowlers.
Complementing Nissanka’s game of hitting cover drives and being more controlled, Asalanka charged at the bowlers and hit a half-century at over a 100 strike rate in that partnership. As the opener finished with 16 boundaries before losing his wicket to make Sri Lanka 236/4, most of their pressure was on this side’s captain, plus Jainith Liyange. Needing 40 runs of 30 deliveries, Charith Aslanka expanded his strike rate to 116.39 and did most of the damage, finishing with 71 runs, while his partner also created some glorious shots to continue dominating. Although Aslanka was gotten rid of with 7 balls left, Kamindu Mendis hit a boundary and basically sealed this match in Sri Lanka’s favor.
Zimbabwe: Bowling Attack Looked Extremely Strong Throughout Expect For Ending
For Zimbabwe, their bowlers really did defend the total well until this match’s final couple overs, where there were a few rough deliveries and wides given. Leading the way was Richard Ngarava as he bowled fantastically until the final couple of balls, where he gave up a key boundary. Seeing that he did allow 5.89 runs per over, not all of it was on him, since there were a few dropped catches, and this is someone who had taken two massive wickets. Coming in as a threat with his left hand, their best righty was Blessing Muzarabani, as he continued using height and explosiveness to create pressure. As he gave up an economy above 6, it was mostly because of one over where he managed to allow three boundaries in a row plus didn’t have as much control as in other overs. Brad Evans was really amazing today with his 5.40 economy and also getting two wickets in his own right, while both Sikandar Raza plus Sean Williams were extremely economical in their 100+ balls.
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