ZIM vs SL Match Review: The Lions Come Out On Top In Nail-Biting Fashion After Various Twists and Turns
As the first ODI between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe is offically over, this was a match that featured several shockers and revelations before there was a final result at the end. Seeing that Sri Lanka came out on top, their bowling required to be have a stronger performance in the last couple overs as it seemed like they were losing control of this match. Winning by 7 runs, it took a clutch performance from them to win this match due to missing several pieces like Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana in their attack. It was clear that this group was led amazingly by Charith Asalanka as he displayed an amazing intensity to field and was terrific in selecting which players would play what role.
This win could really boost their confidence before further tournaments and really has shown that their side can come out of tense situations, while not choking in them. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe also showed improvement in this match as they were looking more alert in all phases, while nearly closing out a losing streak that standed for them in international cricket. Since there was no Craig Ervine in the lineup today alongside Wellington Masakadza, it gave many younger pieces an opportunity to understand how close international matches flow. With their captain being Sean Williams today, he did a tremendous job of leading in batting and fielding that lead to near victory. Below are key moments and pieces that made an impact in this highly intense match today.
Sri Lanka: Batsmen Have A Very Strong Performance That Helps Their Total Become High
Looking at the batting performance of Sri Lanka today, they were able to put together a top-notch score after having some terrific knocks from key batsmen. Opening their order was Pathum Nissanka, who managed to stay strong even though his partner, Nishan Madushka, got out for 0 of just 9 balls. As Nissanka went for 76 runs in 92 balls, one massive partnership he had was with Kusal Mendis, which went for 100, and they both seemed nearly unstoppable at one moment. Seeing that Mendis hit 38 runs in his own right and three elegant boundaries, he was able to play very controlled for multiple overs before losing his wicket during the 26th over, where Sri Lanka was 109/2. With Nissanka getting removed right after him, one thing that worked well for him today were those drives on both sides and an aggressive mentality, which led to a dozen fours.
Knowing that Sadeera Samarawickrama added a 35 knock with his fast playing style at over a 87 strike, when he got out and Charith Asalanka was caught, many people thought Sri Lanka was dead in the water at 161/5. However, things slowly started changing once again when Janith Liyanage and Kamindu Mendis formed a partnership of a lifetime, which went for 137 runs and brought this team to a very defendable total of 298. Talking about Mendis, he was going at over a 150 strike rate and managed to mix his 4 fours with two massive maximums that immensely impacted their runs per over. Finishing with an innings of 57 runs before getting clean-bowled by Richard Ngarava on the final ball, his batsman on the other end in Janith Liyanage, scored 70 while playing with a similar style. Having completed his knock in just 47 balls, this is someone that showed prowess with the long-ball against all Zimbabwe pacers today and helped finish strong.
Zimbabwe: Bowling Attack Had A Very Up and Down Day In This Match
For Zimbabwe’s bowling, it was clear that today was quite inconsistent because some bowlers absolutely dominated, while others couldn’t limit runs at all. Bringing up their strengths, one player that really showed up was Richard Ngarava, as he used wonderful pace during 7.4 overs to get two wickets and just allow 34. Going at an economy of nearly 4.43, it was clear that he was in command since this was someone who delivered two maiden overs during the middle. Having control of line and length, it helped make Zimbabwe’s better than what it could have potentially turned into, since Trevor Gwandu nearly went for 10 runs per over in his 6.2. Allowing 61 runs, he did have a wicket that took out Sri Lanka’s captain Charith Asalanka, but he had to be replaced due to enormous struggles.
Seeing that Blessing Muzarabani had bowled his full quota of overs, this is someone who had a very middle-of-the-pack day to say the least, with an expensive 6.50 economy given up, while also taking a massive wicket of Pathum Nissanka up-front. Someone who had some very strong bouncers that nearly turned into getting people out, he himself also looked a little vulnerable when over-pitching the ball or missing lengths. With this spinning department being relatively economical today, it all started with Sikandar Raza’s 10 overs, which were full of turning the ball and making it harder for batsmen to get full contact with bat. Also getting an LBW on a delivery that kept twisting around on either side, he really created a strong spell with captain Sean Williams, 4.33 economy in 6 overs. Closing it out, Brad Evans had a decent day as this group’s final pacer, but wasn’t able to pose much of a wicket-taking threat.
Zimbabwe: Early Struggles Turned Into Success Down The Line In This Match Before Final Heartbreak
As this Chevrons unit came out to bat, they had a very rough first couple of balls that put them in immense trouble early on. Losing Brian Bennett on the first ball itself, this group lost an even more vital piece, named Brendan Taylor, after he seemed to have a tough time facing Asitha Fernando. With them being 0/2 at 0.4 overs, this was when Ben Curran had to step up from one end as a major left-handed batsmen, while the incoming Sean Williams used the same hand. A duo that could potentially dominate all of Sri Lanka’s right-handed bowlers, they showed their prowess early on by going for a 118-run partnership. Talking specifically about Ben Curran, he was able to hit 70 in that combination and showed prowess of hitting boundaries. Getting 8 clean ones, it really helped Williams go down the other end as well with 7 fours and two maximums that went deep.
Sean Williams was really vital in the aspect that he went over a 100 strike rate, while letting Curran play his game and when these two were removed within four overs, a lot of pressure started coming down Zimbabwe’s way. Then came in Sikandar Raza who has taken this team down to the finish many times and was asked to do that once again. Hoping that his partner Wessly Madhevere could be a factor, that didn’t quite happen as the 24-year old got out for 8 runs. But, the match-changing partnership was between Raza and Tony Munyonga that produced 128 runs. This included a very classy half-century from Sikandar Raza, who seemed very patient at the crease plus didn’t let pressure get to him. Finishing with a score of 92, his partner Munyonga also had 43 in that to help them get very close before Dilshan Madushanka clean-bowled him to move it back into Sri Lanka’s favor. Losing more like Richard Ngarava and Brad Evans, Zimbabwe were pretty much hopless in the final few balls.
Sri Lanka: An Unbeliveable Start Couldn’t Be Built Upon By “The Lions” Until The End
Talking about Sri Lanka’s bowling performance, it was one that started extremely strong, but struggled as this match went on. With Asitha Fernando taking two wickets in his first over, it looked like this side was going to dominate the remainder of this match, but things slowly started changing. Finishing with figures of 3/50, it was a massive difference from when none of the Zimbabwe players seemed to be able to play him during the first four overs of Fernando’s spell. Their other major pacer in Dusmantha Chameera was very strong throughout his overs by just allowing a 4.8 economy, but had seemed to lose touch of his pace a little and couldn’t find a way to present any wicket. Depsite these struggles, today’s biggest performer was Dilshan Madushanka, who picked up a vital hat-trick in that last over and brought back a match that looked so much in the Chevrons favor. Although he went for a 6.00 economy, the final over was the most noteworthy part for him in today’s game. In their spinning attack, Maheesh Theekshana led the way with his full 10 overs and allowed fewer than 5 runs per over, while Charith Asalanka closed it out with a 7.00 economy in limited overs.
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