PALLEKELLE : The much awaited Zimbabwe tour of Sri Lanka commenced Sunday, Jan 16 with the first one day international at the Pallekelle International cricket stadium. Sri Lanka won the first ODI by 5 wickets chasing the target of 296 set by Zimbabwe with 9 balls remaining after Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine won the toss and decided to bat first.
Opener Pathum Nissanka played a gem of an innings opening the innings contributing 75 runs off 71 balls. Kusal Mendis hit 26 off 24 balls and contributed to an opening partnership of 40 runs prior to Kusal Mendis giving away his wicket. A 129 -run partnership between D.Chandimal (75 runs off 91 balls) and C.Asalanka (71 runs off 68 balls) saw Sri Lanka close to the target. Zimbabwe was able to take two quick wickets of Chandimal and Asalanka but Captain Dasun Shanaka ensured Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets reaching 300 runs in 48.3 overs. R Nagarva picked up 3 wickets for 56 runs off 9 overs.
Earlier in the day, a stunning knock by S.Williams who hit a century off 87 balls and supported by R Chakabva who contributed 72 runs (off 81 balls) allowed Zimbabwe to set a target of 296 runs for 9 wickets in the allotted 50 overs. T Kaitano in his debut one day match hit 42 runs off 50 balls.
22 year old Chamika Gunasekara was granted his one day debut match today, unfortunately due to an injury he could only bowl one over for 8 runs. Captain Chandimal had to maneuver 8 bowlers in all to manage bowling the 50 overs. Nuwan Pradeep (2/54) and J.Vandersay (2/44) picked up 2 wickets each while C Karunaratne bowled expensively for 3 wickets (3/69). Dinesh Chandimal was named the player of the match for his stabilizing knock of 75 runs.
The second ODI is scheduled on 18th January 2021.(RZ) Image credit : Sri Lanka Cricket Website
