Zimbabwe won a thrilling T20I against Sri Lanka in Colombo, scoring 24 runs off the final over to level the three-match series at 1-1 ahead of the decider.

Following Sri Lanka’s victory in the opening match of the series, Zimbabwe roared back into contention thanks to some late-overs power hitting from Luke Jongwe.

SL vs ZIM: How the final over unfolded

Needing 20 runs off the final over and six wickets down, Jongwe hit Angelo Mathews for a six off the first ball of the over, heaving the ball high over long on. The delivery also turned out to be a front foot no ball, taking another run off Zimbabwe’s target.

Jongwe followed up by carting the free-hit through extra-cover for a four, reducing the equation to nine off five balls. Mathews nightmare continued as he was clobbered for another six off his next ball, Jongwe wallopping another ball down the ground.

After a play and a miss the following ball, Jongwe attempted to end the game with another big shot off the fourth. However, he mistimed the shot and skied the ball straight up into the air. Maheesh Theekshana steadied himself under the ball to take the catch, but dropped a sitter, allowing the batters to come through for a single. With Clive Madande on strike and two off two balls needed to win, Madande heaved a length ball from Mathews for a six through mid wicket, finishing the game in dramatic style.

Mathews horror final over comes after he put in a Player of the Match performance in the first match of the series, his first T20I appearance since 2021. Earlier in the match he scored an unbeaten 66 off 51 balls, putting on a 118-run partnership with Charith Asalanka to take Sri Lanka up to a score of 173-6.

Craig Ervine scored 70 off 54 in Zimbabwe’s chase to put the tourists within reach of the score before Jongwe’s last-over heroics. Jongwe was awarded the Player of the Match award for his extraordinary efforts.

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