Sri Lanka began the two-match ODI series in Zimbabwe with a seven-run win at Harare. For the visitors, pacer Dilshan Madushanka was the star as he picked up a hat-trick and ended with a four-wicket haul for 62 runs.
Chasing a 299-run target, the home team, Zimbabwe needed 10 runs in the final over with five wickets in hand. Then, in the first three balls of that over, Madushanka dismissed three batters consecutively. First, he removed the set batter Sikandar Raza for 92 (87), followed by two golden ducks for Brad Evans and Richard Nfarava. In the last three deliveries, he conceded only two runs and sealed the win for Sri Lanka.
With that hat-trick, Madushanka became the third Sri Lankan bowler to register more than one hat-trick in ODIs. Lasith Malinga has three ODI hat-tricks, while Madushanka and former pacer Chaminda Vaas now have two each. Madushanka’s first ODI hat-trick came in 2018 against Bangladesh.
For his outstanding bowling display, Madushanka was named the Player of the Match. During the post-match presentation, he expressed his delight at executing their plans well in the death overs. He said: “Long time since I’ve been with the team, so just very happy to do this on my comeback. Very happy that we executed our collective plans at the death.”
Sri Lanka skipper Charith Asalanka also admitted to being amazed by the finish. “It was an amazing game of cricket. The death bowling was amazing at the end,” he said.
The second ODI is scheduled at the same venue on August 31, 2025.
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