2nd ODI Highlights: Zimbabwe Defeat Sri Lanka By 22 Runs, Level Series
Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe, 2nd ODI, Highlights: Zimbabwe defeated Sri Lanka on Tuesday to level the three-match ODI series, 1-1.
Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe, 2nd ODI, Highlights: Zimbabwe defeated Sri Lanka by 22 runs in the second ODI of their three-match series in Pallekele on Tuesday. A blistering knock of 91 runs off 98 runs by captain Craig Ervine helped Zimbabwe post 302 for eight in 50 overs. Sikandar Raza and Sean Williams made noteworthy contributions, smashing 56 runs and 48 runs respectively. Meanwhile, Jeffrey Vandersay and Nuwan Pradeep were in good form for Sri Lanka's bowling department, taking three and two wickets respectively. Chasing a target of 303 runs, Sri Lanka could only reach 280 for nine in 50 overs. Despite a century by Dasun Shanaka (102 off 94 balls), the hosts fell short by 22 runs. Tendai Chatara and Blessing Muzarabani were in fantastic form for Zimbabwe, registering three wickets each. The win helped Zimbabwe level the series at 1-1, with the third and final ODI scheduled for Friday. (SCORECARD)
Sri Lanka Cricket Team
Zimbabwe Cricket Team
Craig Ervine
Regis Chakabva
Avishka Fernando
Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy
Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe, 2nd ODI, Live
We are back for the chase! The players stride out to the middle. Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis will open the batting for Sri Lanka. Tendai Chatara will begin the proceedings with the ball. Here we go...
...THE RUN CHASE...
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, did leak runs in the beginning, but have done well not to let Zimbabwe get away with a bigger total. The spinners have been exceptional, Jeffrey Vandersay was the leader of the pack. He managed to grab 3 wickets and all of them came when Sri Lanka needed them the most. Although Maheesh Theekshana took just one wicket, he did well not to leak a lot of runs and troubled the batters a lot. The pacers were expensive and gave a lot of runs, they were not at their best in the middle today. But, it's now onto the batters. They chased down a target close to 300 in the previous game, and coming into bat again they would feel confident to chase this down as well. They have a strong batting unit and also the surface remains to be batting friendly. Will Sri Lanka repeat their classy batting performance? Or will Zimbabwe come out on top this time? We will find out.
Zimbabwe got off to a flying start, but after losing the openers, the run rate did decrease a tad. Their skipper, Craig Ervine was exceptional in the middle. He was unfortunate to miss out on his 100 by just 9 runs. Craig Ervine along with Sean Williams put on a 106-run partnership and put Sri Lanka under pressure in the middle overs. Sikandar Raza played a fine innings of 56 and guided Zimbabwe to a total of 302. They have put up a healthy total on the board and will be hoping the bowlers defend the total this time and keep the series alive.
Another fine batting performance by Zimbabwe! They would still feel they are still about 15 runs short here. Sri Lanka have done well to restrict Zimbabwe at the death. This is exactly what happened in the first match as well. But this time Zimbabwe have done well to get over the 300-run mark.
OUT! TAKEN! Nuwan Pradeep takes the wicket of Raza on the last ball of the innings but he has played a brilliant knock for his side here. This was a slower ball, into the wicket, outside off. Raza looks to go over mid off but he fails to get the elevation and hits it straight towards Chamika Karunaratne at mid off who hops and takes a good catch. Zimbabwe finish with 302/8.
A slower ball, into the wicket, outside off. Sikandar Raza cuts it over the point fielder and collects a couple of runs.
Bye! WOW! A top yorker, around leg. Blessing Muzarabani fails to dig it out and Kusal Mendis behind the sticks does well to stop it by diving to his left. The batters steal a bye. 300 up for Zimbabwe!
A short ball, around leg. Sikandar Raza pulls it towards deep square leg for a run.
Blessing Muzarabani comes to the crease now.
OUT! TAKEN! Fuller in length, around middle. Wellington Masakadza looks to scoop it over the short fine leg fielder but he mistimes it and hits it straight to Dushmantha Chameera at short fine leg who takes an easy catch.
A slower ball, shorter in length, around leg. Sikandar Raza pulls it towards deep square leg for a run.
OUT! RUN OUT! Top effort from Dushmantha Chameera to get rid of Ryan Burl. A yorker, around middle. Sikandar Raza digs it out and looks to steal a run. The ball bounces off the deck and Chameera is quick enough to get towards the ball. He picks it up and scores a direct hit at the striker's end. Burl is short of his crease and he walks back to the hut now.
Is that a run-out? A direct hit at the keeper's end from the bowler. The replay rolls in and confirms the batsman was short of his ground. The third umpire confirms that was out. Ryan Burl has to walk back.
A slower ball, into the pitch, around off. Ryan Burl tonks it towards deep mid-wicket and takes a run.
On a length, around off. Ryan Burl heaves it towards the deep mid-wicket region for a couple of runs.
FOUR! EDGY! Banged into the deck, outside off. Ryan Burl pulls but it goes off the top edge and flies over the keeper for a boundary.
Full ball, around off. Sikandar Raza drills it back past the bowler and takes a run.
FOUR! Lovely shot! What a way bring up your fifty! A slower ball, into the wicket, outside off. Sikandar Raza hangs back and chips it over the mid off fielder to fetch himself a boundary.
Wide! A slower ball, well outside off. Sikandar Raza lets it be and the umpire calls it as a wide.