Sri Lanka defeated Zimbabwe by four wickets in the first of the three-match T20I series at the Harare Sports Club on Wednesday. Pathum Nissanka continued his stellar run of form with his 55-run knock for Sri Lanka after being adjudged the player of the series in the recently concluded ODI series. Whereas Kamindu Mendis played a breathtaking knock of 41 runs off just 16 balls to take his team home.
Chasing 176 runs, Sri Lankan openers, Nissanka and Kusal Mendis, gave their team a solid start as they stitched a partnership of 96 runs off 61 balls. Nissanka scored 55 off 32 balls, including four fours and two sixes, at a strike rate of 171.88. Kamindu’s 41 off 16 balls, including one four and four sixes at a strike rate of 256.25, stole the show and guided the Lankans to the win. For Zimbabwe, Richard Ngarava took 2/19 in his four overs at an economy rate of 4.80.
Earlier, Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bowl. Two half-century partnerships of Brian Bennett with Sikandar Raza and Ryan Burl were instrumental in building the innings for Zimbabwe. Bennett was the highest scorer for Zimbabwe, scoring 81 off 57 balls, including 12 fours, at a strike rate of 142.11. For Sri Lanka, Dushmantha Chameera took 3/30 in his four overs. Mendis was adjudged the player of the match for his blistering innings.
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