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Sri Lanka managed to secure a narrow four-wicket win over Zimbabwe in the first T20I at the Harare Sports Club. Sri Lanka chased down the target of 176 with just five balls to spare. The win was anchored by an exceptional performance from Kamindu Mendis, who guided his team to victory in the final over with his 16-ball 41 blitzkrieg.
Sri Lanka's narrow win over Zimbabwe in 1st T20I
After being put in to bat, Zimbabwe was propelled to a competitive total of 175 for 7, thanks in large part to a stellar knock from Brian Bennett. Despite losing early wickets, including Tadiwanashe Marumani (7) and Sean Williams (14), Bennett maintained his composure and found the boundary with regularity. He was supported by a handy contribution of 28 from captain Sikandar Raza and 17 from Ryan Burl. Bennett's impressive innings of 81 from 57 balls came to an end on the last ball of the 19th over when he was bowled by Dushmantha Chameera, but his efforts had set a challenging target for the visiting side.
Building on the previous performance, Zimbabwe's innings saw a collapse in the lower order, with only Brian Bennett and Sikandar Raza managing to make significant contributions. No other batter was able to cross the 20-run mark. The Sri Lankan bowlers were led by Dushmantha Chameera, who was the pick of the bowlers with impressive figures of 3 for 30 in his four overs. He was well-supported by Nuwan Thushara and Maheesh Theekshana, who each took a wicket.
In their chase of 176, Sri Lanka got off to a blistering start. Openers Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis took control of the game from the outset, scoring freely and putting immense pressure on the Zimbabwean bowlers. At one point, Sri Lanka seemed on course for a comfortable win. The partnership was finally broken in the 11th over when Nissanka, who had scored a blistering 55 off just 32 balls (including four boundaries and two sixes), was dismissed by Tinotenda Maposa with the team total at 96. Mendis followed soon after, departing for 38 off 35 deliveries. The quick fall of wickets continued, including a cheap dismissal for Kusal Perera for just four runs, as Sri Lanka lost three quick wickets in the 13th over bowled by Richard Ngarava, bringing Zimbabwe back into the game.
Building on the previous performance, a dramatic shift in momentum saw Sri Lanka's innings crumble from a dominant 96 without loss to 125 for five by the 15.3 over mark. The quick succession of wickets, which included captain Charith Asalanka for just one run, allowed Zimbabwe to make a stunning comeback into a match that had seemed firmly in Sri Lanka's control.
However, the late-order collapse was halted by a magnificent performance from all-rounder Kamindu Mendis. With his aggressive and calculated hitting, Mendis smashed an unbeaten 41 from just 16 deliveries. His knock, which included one boundary and four sixes at an incredible strike rate of 256.25, turned the tide back in Sri Lanka's favor. Supported by a useful 14 from nine balls by Dushan Hemantha, Mendis steered his team to a thrilling victory with five deliveries to spare in the final over of the match.
Despite the loss, Zimbabwe's bowlers showed great resolve. Richard Ngarava was particularly impressive, taking 2 for 19 in his four overs, while captain Sikandar Raza also contributed with 2 for 26. The run-scoring was difficult for Sri Lanka's batters, but Mendis's crucial assault, which included plundering 26 runs from the 18th over of Tinotenda Maposa, was the decisive moment that sealed the win and secured a comfortable victory in the first T20I of the three-match series.
Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe will next face each other in the second T20I, slated to be played on September 6. Notably, after the third T20I against Chevrons, Sri Lanka will head for UAE for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 which will start from September 9.
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