Zimbabwe exposed the fragilities in Sri Lanka’s bowling unit as they cruised to a comfortable six-wicket victory with three balls to spare in their final Group B fixture at the R Premadasa Stadium.
Although the result had little bearing on the Super Eights qualification of either Sri Lanka or Zimbabwe, the defeat served as a rude wake-up call for the hosts ahead of a far more demanding phase of the tournament. Sri Lanka’s total of 178 for 7 appeared defendable on a surface offering some assistance to spin, but Zimbabwe’s batters handled the conditions with composure and clarity to overhaul the target.
The major concern for Sri Lanka was the performance of their bowlers, particularly Dushan Hemantha. Fresh from an impressive 3 for 25 against Australia, Hemantha struggled to extract any turn and was taken apart by the Zimbabwean middle order. He conceded 36 runs in his four overs, with his third over proving decisive as it yielded 20 runs, including two towering sixes, dramatically swinging momentum in Zimbabwe’s favour.
Zimbabwe required 65 from the final six overs when captain Sikandar Raza launched a brutal assault, smashing two sixes and a boundary to plunder 20 runs and reduce the equation to a manageable 45 from 30 balls. Hemantha briefly revived home hopes by returning to pick up two wickets in the 19th over, including Raza’s prized scalp, but by then the writing was firmly on the wall.
Raza struck a rapid 45 off 26 deliveries, peppering the stands with four sixes and two boundaries, while opener Brian Bennett anchored the chase with a calm, unbeaten 63 from 48 balls.
Earlier, Pathum Nissanka continued his remarkable run of form with a composed half-century, setting the tone at the top of the order. His 50 from 34 balls, following a recent century against Australia, laid a strong foundation as Sri Lanka surged to 178 for 7, aided by a lively cameo of 44 off 25 balls from Pavan Rathnayake.
After Perera’s dismissal, Kusal Mendis joined Nissanka and the pair opted for consolidation rather than unchecked aggression. The tempo slowed slightly, but the approach ensured stability through the middle overs. Sri Lanka reached the 100-run mark in the 12th over, with Nissanka bringing up his 21st T20I half-century, a well-constructed 50 off 34 deliveries that highlighted his growing maturity.
Zimbabwe clawed their way back when Mendis was stumped for 14 off 20 balls, triggering a brief wobble. Nissanka soon followed, attempting to lift the scoring rate, and Sri Lanka then lost momentum as Dasun Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis and Dushan Hemantha failed to capitalise on the platform.
The innings regained impetus through Pavan Rathnayake, whose fearless cameo of 44 off 25 balls transformed the closing stages. Rathnayake found the gaps with ease and cleared the ropes when required, while Dunith Wellalage added valuable late runs with a brisk 15 off eight balls, including three boundaries in the final over.
Zimbabwe’s bowlers shared the spoils, with Blessing Muzarabani and Brad Evans claiming two wickets apiece, while Graeme Cremer impressed with 2 for 27.
In reply, Zimbabwe began steadily, reaching 55 without loss in the powerplay before Tadiwanashe Marumani was dismissed for 34. Opener Brian Bennett anchored the chase superbly, batting with assurance to finish unbeaten on 63 from 48 balls.
With 65 required from the final six overs, captain Sikandar Raza seized control of the contest. He struck two sixes and a boundary in a 20-run over off Hemantha, swinging the momentum decisively. Raza’s 45 off 26 balls, featuring four sixes, effectively broke Sri Lanka’s resistance.
Hemantha briefly revived home hopes by claiming two wickets, including Raza’s, in the 19th over, but Zimbabwe were already in command. They crossed the line with three balls to spare, leaving Sri Lanka with serious questions to answer about their bowling consistency as they prepare for the sterner challenge of the Super Eights.
