In a Group B game in Colombo, Zimbabwe made a solid start in the chase of 179 against co-hosts Sri Lanka. Zimbabwe earlier in the day conceded 178/7 in 20 overs which is an above par score on that pitch. But the Chevrons have made a decent start and made sure they make a match out of this. It is still a long way to go, but a good start nevertheless.
Zimbabwe openers get off to a solid start in powerplay.Â
Chasing 179 for the win, Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani opened the batting for Zimbabwe while Dilshan Madushanka had ball in hand for Sri Lanka. Madushanka started with a solid first over. Pramod Madushan shared the new ball from the other end. Marumani broke the shackles as he threw his hands at it and played it very late as the thick outside edge flew between short third man and backward point for a boundary. Marumani swivelled and hit the ball on the pads past short fine leg for a boundary.
Madushanka continued as Bennett got a lifeline as the top edge flew towards backward point where Kusal Perera ran after it and dived but could not hold onto the ball. Maheesh Theekshana came into the attack next as Marumani got down on one knee and rolled his wrists and nailed the reverse sweep between short third man and backward point for a boundary. Marumani was at it again as he got down on one knee and hit it between point and backward point for a boundary.
Pramod Madushan came back into the attack. Bennett slapped the ball down the ground past mid-off as the ball went away to the long-off fence. Bennett was at it again as he made room to open the bat face and squeezed it to the right of backward point for a boundary. Maheesh Theekshana came to bowl the final over of powerplay. Marumani took him on and heaved it away over the ropes for the maximum. Bennett got into the act as he shuffled across on the off-side and got down on one knee to sweep along the ground for a boundary past short fine leg for a boundary.
Bennett was not done yet as he backed away and slapped the ball through the covers for a boundary. Zimbabwe reached 55/0 at the end of 6 overs of powerplay with Marumani unbeaten on 27 off 17 balls while Bennett was with him unbeaten on 24 off 19 balls as the Chevrons got off to a great start in the chase as we paused for Drinks Break.
Tadiwanashe Marumani falls as Sri Lanka put in the squeeze to leave the game in balance after 10 overs.Â
Dasun Shanaka came into the attack post the powerplay as Bennett waited for it and hammered past diving Hemantha at backward point to his right for a boundary. Dushan Hemantha came into the attack next and was welcomed with a boundary as Marumani rocked back deep and swivel pulled it to the right of deep backward square leg for a boundary. Dunith Wellalage came into the attack next. He struck for Sri Lanka as he removed Marumani for 34 off 26 balls with 5 fours and one six to his name.
Wellalage bowled full and around the off-stump line. Marumani got down on one knee for a slog sweep but lost his shape as he was not to the pitch of the ball and found a top edge that shot up to the left of the bowler. Wellalage circled underneath it and took it easily. Ryan Burl came out to bat next and got off the mark with a brace. Hemantha came to bowl the 10th over. He too bowled a tight over. Zimbabwe reached 78/1 in 10 overs with Bennett unbeaten on 35 off 30 balls and Burl unbeaten on 5 off 4 balls.
What Lies Ahead.Â
The match is in the balance at this stage as Zimbabwe have fought hard and making a match out of this. Having said that, Sri Lanka are still the favourites to win with runs on the board. Zimbabwe are taking the fight and not giving it easily. The Chevrons need 101 off 60 balls with 9 wickets in hand. This match can go either ways and it is about bragging rights for the teams involved.
Let’s see how the chase evolves from here.
Also Read:Â ICC T20 WC 2026: Pathum Nissanka & Pavan Rathnayake Hammers Zimbabwe.