Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe 2023/24

Highlights: Zimbabwe seal first T20I win against Sri Lanka with six, chase down 20 in last over

by Wisden Staff January 17, 2024 - 10:20am 2 minute read

Zimbabwe beat Sri Lanka in T20Is for the first time, chasing down 174 with a ball to spare to level the series in Colombo.

Zimbabwe won a T20I against a Test-playing nation away from home for the first time in over a year when they defeated Sri Lanka by four wickets to level the three-match series.

Opting to field first after winning the toss, Zimbabwe’s decision was vindicated after they picked up four wickets within five overs, leaving Sri Lanka reeling at 27-4. The Sri Lankan innings saw a resurgence as Angelo Mathews (66 not out in 51 balls) and Charith Asalanka (69 in 39) steadied the ship, minimising risks until the mid-innings.

Asalanka displayed signs of aggression in the 13th over, hitting a six off Sean Williams. The 15th over proved pivotal, as Asalanka unleashed a barrage against Wellington Masakadza, including a six and two fours. He reached his half-century in 32 balls, while Mathews took 20 runs in the 16th over, bowled by Blessing Muzarabani. They added 118 in 79 balls to help the hosts post a competitive 173-6.

In response, Zimbabwe’s openers initially struggled, and Tinashe Kamunhukamwe (12 in 13 balls) fell in the fourth over attempting a slog against Dilshan Madushanka. However, Craig Ervine (70 in 54) masterfully guided the chase.

After a slow start, Ervine accelerated, reaching his fifty with a reverse sweep off skipper Wanindu Hasaranga, but Sri Lanka got Brian Bennett (25 in 20) and Sean Williams (1) in the span of six balls.

Ervine kept Zimbabwe in the game. Zimbabwe remained in the hunt even after he fell, as with Luke Jongwe (25 not out in 12), Ryan Burl (13 in 9), and Clive Madande (15 not out in 5) hit five sixes in the death overs.

In the final over, bowled by Angelo Mathews, Zimbabwe needed 20. Jongwe took advantage of the first ball, hitting the no-ball delivery for a six and a four off the free hit, and hit another six to boot. He survived a dropped catch by Maheesh Theekshana before Madande sealed the win with a well-timed six over the deep mid-wicket fence with two needed off two.