Sri Lankans scrape through to a win over Zimbabwe by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Scorecard:	Zimbabwe v Sri Lanka
Player:	H Masakadza, KM Dabengwa, BAW Mendis, J Mubarak, KC Sangakkara, DPMD Jayawardene
Event:	Sri Lanka in Zimbabwe 2008/09

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DateLine: 29th November 2008

 

Zimbabwe ran the Sri Lankans close for the second match in running, but in the end, the visitors took a 4-0 lead at the Harare Sports Club. Sri Lanka chose to field first after winning the toss and restricted the Zimbabweans to 146, but then huffed and puffed to a two-wicket win.

 

Batting first, Zimbabwe had a good steady start, as Hamilton Masakadza and V. Sibanda added 46 for the first wicket. In fact, at one stage, the hosts were 66/1 in the 14th over and one would have expected them to carry on getting to a reasonable total. However, the introduction of Ajantha Mendis changed the scenario, as it had been through the series. Mendis bowled out almost all his overs, to capture six wickets for 29 runs. Keith Dabengwa did provide some rear-guard relief with a 32, but the Zimbabweans lost their last seven wickets for 64 runs to capitulate, yet again, to 146.

 

Sri Lanka had a reasonable start too, but lost three wickets at the same score of 33. Mupariwa stuck thrice to reduce the Lankans to 101/6. Jehan Mubarak, usually an opener, had come in to bat at the number six position, and guided the team through with a well compiled 60. It came off 98 deliveries, and consisted of six boundaries only.

 

In the end, Elton Chigumbura also scalped three wickets, but the Sri Lankans scraped through with around two overs and two wickets to spare.

 

Mendis’ 6/29 made him the rightful owner of the Man-of-the-Match.