SL vs ZIM 1st ODI Commentary - Kandy (16 January 2022)

On a length, on middle. Dasun Shanaka works it behind square on the on side for a single.

Back of a length around leg. Chamika Karunaratne tucks it square on the leg side for a single.

A short ball and Dasun Shanaka pulls it to fine leg for a single.

NO BALL! FOUR! Chamika Karunaratne finishes the chase in style! A shorter length delivery around middle and leg by Blessing Muzarabani. Chamika Karunaratne stays deep in his crease and pulls it strongly towards backward square leg for a boundary. Blessing Muzarabani has overstepped too but it anyways doesn't matter. Sri Lanka win by five wickets!

Richard Ngarava bowls a full ball on off. Dasun Shanaka drives it to covers.

A length ball, outside off and angling across at 131 kph. Dasun Shanaka tries a paddle-scoop but misses. The ball goes through to the keeper.

Back of a length, around off. Dasun Shanaka rides the bounce and pushes it to mid off.

A length ball, on off. Dasun Shanaka defends it with soft hands towards the off side for a single.

SIX! SHOT!  Richard Ngarava serves this short on middle. Charith Asalanka is already hanging on the back foot as he is expecting a short ball. He pulls it over deep square leg for a biggie.

OUT! LBW! Charith Asalanka departs and Richard Ngarava gets another one. Charith Asalanka will be disappointed that he could not finish the chase but it has been an entertaining innings from the young man. Back of a length around off and angling into the batter. Charith Asalanka looks to work it towards the on side but misses. The ball hits his pads and there is a huge appeal. The umpire raises his finger and Charith Asalanka reviews it. The Ball Tracker shows that it is umpire's call on impact and it is hitting the stumps. So Charith Asalanka has to walk back and Sri Lanka are five down now but with just five runs needed.

Back of a length, outside off. Dasun Shanaka rides the bounce and pushes it to backward point.

FOUR! Shot of authority from the captain! A fuller delivery on middle. Dasun Shanaka gets little across and flicks it towards deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

Tendai Chatara replies with a short ball! A good shot ball on the middle stump line. Dasun Shanaka looks to pull but misses.

Another shorter length delivery. Dasun Shanaka connects the pull this time and hits this towards deep square leg for a single.

A fuller delivery on off. Charith Asalanka digs it out to long off for a single.

A short delivery on middle. Dasun Shanaka firmly pulls it to fine leg for a single. Just 12 needed now from 18 balls.

Shorter length delivery again angling into body. Charith Asalanka is hurried on the pull shot and the ball goes towards mid-wicket for a couple.

FOUR! Another short delivey and this one flies over the jumping keeper. Richard Ngarava goes for a short delivery on off. Charith Asalanka looks to pull but gets the top edge. The ball goes over Regis Chakabva behind the stumps for a boundary.

Shorter length but at a comfortable height this time for the pull shot. Charith Asalanka does exactly that and gets a single to deep square leg for a single.

Back of a length, around leg. Dinesh Chandimal looks to pull but misses and gets hit on the body.

OUT! CAUGHT! Dinesh Chandimal departs but it is little too late for Zimbabwe. Another short delivery on the body. Dinesh Chandimal pulls it but fails to keep it along the ground. Craig Ervine at short mid-wicket takes a good diving catch to his right and Richard Ngarava gets his second wicket. End of a superb knock by the senior batter. This short ball seems to have hurried him but he has done his job.

WIDE! Shorter and down the leg side this time. Dasun Shanaka lets it go.

On a length, on off. Dasun Shanaka steers it to third man and gets a single. The skipper is off the mark. Just 19 needed now from 24 balls.

On a length, around off. Charith Asalanka defends it towards covers this time.

FOUR! Blessing Muzarabani bowls a short ball on middle. Charith Asalanka pulls it to backward square leg for a boundary. He is very strong on the back foot.

On a length, on off. Charith Asalanka works it towards mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Another short ball and this time it is Dinesh Chandimal joining the party! A shorter length delivery around leg at 131 kph. Dinesh Chandimal is quick to pick the length of the ball and pulls it towards backward square leg for a boundary.

Back of a length, around off. Chandimal chops it to point this time.

A good short ball on middle with steep bounce. Dinesh Chandimal looks to pull but the ball goes over him and Regis Chakabva behind the stumps makes a good stop as he jumps to catch it.

Back of a length, around off at 120 kph. Chandimal chops it towards point.

Another shorter length delivery outside off. Dinesh Chandimal cuts it to sweeper cover for a single.

A length ball, on off. Charith Asalanka square drives it to deep cover for a single.

Back of a length, on midle. Dinesh Chandimal is early on the shot as he looks to work it away and the ball goes little aerailly towards long on for a single.

  A length ball, on off. Charith Asalanka defends it towards the off side for a single.

Dot to end the over! Back of a length, outside off. Chandimal cuts it to point. 37 needed now from 36 balls.

On middle, defended towards point. 

FOUR! Brilliant effort there though from the fielder! A short ball, on middle. Charith Asalanka looks to pull but gets a top edge towards fine leg. The fielder is stationed a bit wide and he runs across and puts a big dive and gets a hand to it but deflects it to the fence. A valiant effort that.

Fifty for Charith Asalanka! Controlled the innings! Length and on off. Charith Asalanka guides it t through point for a single.

Length and on middle. Chandimal looks to work it on the leg side but mistimes it back on the turf. 

Another short ball, on middle. Dinesh Chandimal misses his pull. We actually haven't seen too many short balls from Zimbabwean bowlers. Everything is almost on a length.

WIDE! Short but going down. Chandimal evades it.

WIDE! Too short, on middle. Chandimal arcs back and lets it through. 

Length and on middle, this is pushed straight down the ground and the batters scamper across for a quick single. 41 needed in 42 balls.

SIX! Dinesh Chandimal is in hurry now! What a shot this is! A full ball, on off. Dinesh Chandimal reaches to the pitch of the ball and heaves it all the way over mid-wicket for a biggie. 

On middle, pushed to mid on.

Full and on off, pushed down to long off for a single.

This one stays low, on middle, tucked to mid-wicket.

Slower ball, short and on middle, pulled away to deep square leg for a single.

On middle. Blocked out. 49 needed now from 48 balls.

Shorter ball, this comes back in, on off. Chandimal looks to flick but gets an inside edge onto the pads. 

On middle, Dinesh Chandimal hits it on the leg side for a single.

Short and on leg. Asalanka makes room and slaps it through covers for a couple of runs. 

Full and on middle. Asalanka paddles it to short fine leg for a single.

Darted on the pads, this is flicked to square leg for one more. The boundaries have dried up but Sri Lanka won't mind as they are getting singles with ease.

FOUR BYES! The keeper is undone there! This is short and outside off. Charith Asalanka positions himself to guide it down but misses it. The keeper pre-meditates and follows the batter and gets undone. It goes behind him for the fence. 

 Length and outside off. Chandimal hops and taps it to covers. Quick single. This is so easy for Sri Lanka to get singles and keep the required run rate inside 7. 

On middle, this is nudged to mid-wicket for a single. 

Length and onn off, Chandimal tucks it to mid-wicket.

FOUR! Short and outside off. Chandimal hops and slashes it over point for a boundary. All the pressure that was building is faded away. 

Short again, outside off. Chandimal tries to ramp it away but misses. 

Full and on middle. Chandimal turns it to mid on for a single. 

Full, on middle, drilled down to long on for one run.

Full ball, outside off. Chandimal prods and drives it to deep covers for a single.

A single as this is tucked away through mid-wicket for a single.

This one drifts back in, on middle, eased down to long on for a single.

Five singles off the over so far! Tossed up, on off, pushed to covers for one.

Make it 6 then! On middle, this is pushed down to long on for a run. 73 needed in 66 balls.

Length and outside off. Chandimal punches off the back foot to deep cover for a single.

On middle. Blocked out.

Length ball, angling on off. Asalanka hits it to backward point.

Full and on middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.

Fifty for Dinesh Chandimal! The dependable man for Sri Lanka is controlling things currently, on middle, tucked to mid-wicket for a quick single. 

Length and on off, this is guided to point for a quick single. 

Short in length, on middle, this is pulled late to fine leg for a single. 

On middle, Asalanka pulls it to deep square leg for a single. 

Around off, Chandimal dabs it away to third man for a single. 

On the hips, Asalanka flicks it to deep square leg and rotates the strike. 

Bangs a short one now, on middle, this is pulled away to square leg for one more.

Length and on off. Charith chops it to point. 83 needed in 78 balls.

WIDE! A length ball, way outside off. Chandimal chases this wide one but misses. 

Leg bye! A length ball, on off, this one nips back in. Chandimal gets hit high on the pads as he looks to flick it. A leg bye as it rolls on the off side. 

On middle, this is hit to square leg for a single.

Around off, this is pushed to covers.

A full ball, outside off. Dinesh punches it to sweeper cover for one more.

Beaten! This one steeps off the deck. On a length and just outside off. Asalanka looks to defend but gets beaten on the outside edge. 

Length and on off. Asalanka works it to backward point. 

Short and wide outside off. Chandimal slashes hard at it but misses.

On a length, outside off at 134 kph. Chandimal steers it towards third man for a single.

Play and a miss again! Back of a length, outside off. Charith Asalanka slashes hard at it but misses.

Back of a length and on the off stump line this time. Charith Asalanka blocks it out.

NOT OUT! That's a good review taken by Charith Asalanka! Richard Ngarava bowls a yorker around leg. Charith Asalanka looks to clip it but misses. The ball hits his pads but it seems to be going down leg. Surprisingly, the umpire raises his finger. Charith Asalanka reviews it straightaway. The replays roll in and the UltraEdge shows that there is no bat involved. The Ball Tracker rolls and it shows the ball is missing the leg stump. So the decision will be overturned and Charith Asalanka survives. Good ball though by Richard Ngarava.

Back of a length, around off. Charith Asalanka punches this off the back foot to point. So a dot to end the over. Zimbabwe need wickets here.

A flatter fuller delivery on off. Chandimal pushes it back to the bowler.

Another full delivery on off. Dinesh Chandimal hits this hard back to the bowler. He fails to collect it cleanly and the batters run a single.

Shorter around off. Pushed to covers for a single.

Darted on middle and leg. Dinesh Chandimal works it to backward square leg for a single.

FOUR! Short ball and Charith Asalanka is not going to miss out. Wesley Madhevere drops this short on off. Bread and butter for Charith Asalanka as he pull it to deep mid-wicket for a boundary. 200 up for Sri Lanka.

A fuller delivery on off. Charith Asalanka solidly defends it towards the off side.

Back of a length, on off at 133 clicks. Charith Asalanka pulls it to mid-wicket for a single. Charith Asalanka is hurried there a little but a comforable single in the end.

Back of a length from 'round the wicket and angling into the body. Chandimal works it to mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Shot of a champion player! Short and wide outside off. Charith Asalanka stays deep in his crease and just opens the face of his blade a little as he punches it. The ball races through backward point for a boundary. Exactly 100 needed now.

Another good shot! Back of a length, around off. Charith Asalanka punches this hard but straight to point this time.

Back of a length, on off. Charith Asalanka pushes this off the back foot towards the off side.

Back of a length again. Slightly outside off. Charith Asalanka cuts it to point.

Wesley Madhevere starts with a full delivery on off. Chandimal works it to deep square leg for a single.

Nicely tossed up on middle with hint of away turn. Charith Asalanka blocks this off the back foot.

Slightly shorter on middle. Charith Asalanka works it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

A fuller delivery that is fired on middle. Dinesh Chandimal eases it to long on for a single.

SIX! A really poor delivery and is rightly punished! A shorter length delivery on off. Charith Asalanka rocks back and pulls it strongly over deep mid-wicket for a biggie. Zimbabwe bowlers have lacked consistency.

Shorter outside off this time. Charith Asalanka cuts it to sweeper cover for a single. 

Short and outside the off stump. Chandimal cuts it straight to the point fielder.

FOUR! Nicely done by Dinesh Chandimal! Back of a length, around off. Chandimal rides the bounce and guides it fine as he plays it late towards third man for a boundary.

Short and wide outside off. Chandimal cuts it too sweeper cover for a single.

Back of a length, around off at 135 kph. Charith Asalanka pulls it off the bottom of his blade to mid on.

FOUR! Slower delivery and punished! A  shorter length delivery on off at 94 kph this time. Charith Asalanka has all the time in the world to rock back and pull it towards deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

Back of a length, on off. Charith Asalanka blocks it towards the on side this time. 116 needed now from 114 balls.

FOUR! One bounce and into the fence. Full ball, on middle. Dinesh Chandimal skips down and heaves it to mid-wicket for a boundary.

Length and outside off, this is hit to the off side for a single.

Nicely hit but for no run! Length and outside off. Asalanaka slaps it to point. 

Fuller ball, outside off, pushed to deep point for a couple of runs.

Slightly short, on middle, pulled away to deep mid-wicket for one.

Now comes down the track and works it to mid-wicket for a single. 9 coming off the over.

A length ball, outside off. Chandimal hops and dabs it to third man for a single.

A length ball, slanting outside off. Left alone.

Around off. Asalanka drags it wide of deep square leg for a quick couple of runs. There was an overthrow but Asalanka overran that time.

Outside off. Asalnaka shoulders arms to it.

Another leave by Charith Asalanka.

This time Charith Asalanka tries to cut this outside off delivery but misses it completely. Tidy over from Blessing Muzarabani.

 Tossed up, on off. comes down the track and hits it to mid-wicket. Good stop there. 

Angels it on middle and Chandimal works it to square leg for one.

Drifts it on the pads, slower and this is hit to square leg for one.

Sees Dinesh Chandimal coming down the track and this is slower down and shorter in length, blocks to cover.

A quicker one, pushed back to the bowler.

Around off, pushed to covers for a single.

Full and on off. Asalanka defends it to cover. He wants a single but was sent back.

Full and on middle, pushed through the diving bowler to long on for a single.

Darted on the pads, flicked to square leg for a single.

Around off, pushed to covers.

A full toss, on off. Asalanka drives it to sweeper cover for a single.

On middle, swept to deep square leg for a single. 

 Flatter and on middle, it stays low as well. Asalanka steers it to short third man for a quick single. 

On middle. Blocked out.

Short and outside off, Chandimal cuts it to through point for a couple of runs. 

Angles it on the pads. Dinesh Chandimal flicks it to short fine leg where a fumble allows a brace.

On middle. Dinesh Chandimal keeps it out.

Flatter ball and this is tucked away to mid-wicket.

Raza bowls this fuller on off. Chandimal drives it to deep extra covers for a couple.

A shorter length delivery on middle. Chandimal works it to mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Another superb shot! A full toss on off. Nissanka takes full advantage of it and creams it through covers for a boundary.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Important breakthrough for Zimbabwe and a good review taken to dismiss the set Pathum Nissanka. A flatter and slightly shorter delivery outside off by Raza. Nissanka looks to run it fine towards the off side. But the ball catches the outside edge of his blade and Regis Chakabva takes a good catch behind the stumps. He appeals and is very confident but the umpire is unmoved. Zimbabwe decide to take a review and the replays roll in. The UltraEdge shows that Nissanka has got an edge on that one and he has to walk back after playing a superb knock.

A flatter delivery and angling into middle. Charith Asalanka plays this off the back foot back to the bowler.

A fuller delivery on off. Charith Asalanka drives it past driving Raza to long on for a single.

A fuller delivery on middle. Worked towards mid-wicket.

Another flatter delivery on middle and leg. Chandimal pushes it to long on for a single.

Another single towards long on. A full ball, on middle. Nissanka eases it towards long on for a single.

Tossed up around off. Chandimal uses his feet and works it to long on for another single.

FOUR! Good shot! A fuller delivery on off. Nissanka takes the calclated risk and slog-sweeps it towards deep mid-wicket aerially for a boundary.

A fuller delivery on off. Nissanka pushes it to covers now.

Raza starts with a shorter length delivery on off. Nissanka pushes this off the back foot to long on.

A flatter delivery on middle and leg. Chandimal works it to square leg for a single.

A fuller delivery on off. Nissanka drives it to covers this time. Dot ball.

Slightly shorter length on off. Nissanka waits for it as he goes deep in his crease. He works it to mid-wicket for a quick single.

Drifting on the pads this time. Chandimal works it to deep square leg for a single.

Raza bowls this tad wider outside off and shorter in length. Nissanka punches this off the back foot to deep extra cover for a couple. The partnership between these two is now 52.

Tossed up on off. Chandimal skips down the track and pushes it to short cover.

A flatter delivery on middle. Chandimal defends this off the inside half of his blade towards square leg for a single.

A full delivery on off. Nissanka drives it to long off for a single.

A fuller delivery on off.Nicely tossed up. Chandimal skips down the track and smashes it to long off for a single.

A fuller delivery, touch wider this time. Nissanka hits this firmly to deep extra cover for a couple.

Another delivery that is pitched up on off. Nissanka pushes it to long off and gets a sinle. He retains the strike.

Shorter and outside off, Nissanka works it to deep point for a single.

On middle, pushed back to the bowler.

NOT OUT! An arm ball, angling on middle and leg, fuller length there. Dinesh Chandimal prods to defend but seems to get beaten on the inside edge and gets on the pads. A huge appeal for LBW but nothing from the umpire. The bowler has a chat with the skipper and convinces him to take the review. UltraEdge confirms no bat, Ball Tracker shows pitching outside off and wickets missing as well. Zimbabwe lose the review. 

This one stays low, on off, pushed to point for a single. 

On middle. Blocked out.

Fuller and on off. Nissanka guides it t o point.

On middle. Blocked out.

Given to much air this time, on off, driven hard to deep cover for a single.

On middle, drilled down to long on for a single.

Tossed up, outside off, Chandimal slaps it to cover.

Outside off. Chandimal pushes it to deep cover for a single. 

A single to end the over as this is eased down to long on. Sri Lanka need 178 more runs. 

Short, slower in the air and outside off. Dinesh Chandimal looks to work it to third man but misses.

Around off, pushed through covers for a single. 

Fuller length outside off. Nissanka slaps it to deep cover for one.

On middle, this is hit to deep square leg for a single.

Shorter, drifting outside off. Nissanka misses his cut.

Full ball, outside off, tucked on the leg side.

A flighted ball, outside off, driven through covers for a single.

Fifty for Pathum Nissanka, his first in the ODI! This will give him immense confidence with the way he has played. Very good so far, he gets to the landmark by pushing this full ball down to long off for a single. 

Fuller and outside off, this is driven to sweeper cover for a single.

FOUR! Short again, on middle. Nissanka clears his front leg and pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary.

Outside off, this is guided to point. Better length and line.

Full and on off, pushed to the left of bowler and Wellington Masakadza puts in a dive to stop that.

FOUR! Dispatched! A full toss, on middle. Nissanka heaves it to mid-wicket for a boundary. Loosener to start by Ryan Burl.

Fuller and outside off, pushed to covers.

FOUR! 100 up for Sri Lanka! Another shorter ball, on middle. Pathum Nissanka rocks back and pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary.

Flatter and outside off, cut away through point for one.

Slower and on the pads, this is tucked to deep square leg. The fielder from mid-wicket gives a chase and cuts it off. Two. 

Flatter and on off. Nissanka keeps it out.

A length delivery and angling away from the batter. Nissanka lets it go.

WIDE! This is fuller and more wider outside off. Nissanka lets it go again.

Back of a length, on off. Nissanaka works it to mid-wicket for a single.

On a length, on off and going across the batter. Chandimal dabs it to point.

FIVE WIDES! Richard Ngarava misses his radar here! A fuller delivery and way down the leg side. The ball is swinging in as Chandimal looks to clip it but misses as it is way down the leg side. Keeper dives to his left and fails to stop it. Boundary towards long leg. Bonus runs for Sri Lanka.

A fuller delivery on off. Chandimal leans forward and drives it to sweeper cover for a single.

A length ball, around off and angling away. Nissanka steers it to third man for a single.

Back of a length, on off. Chandimal blocks it solidly.

A fuller delivery on off. Nissanka drives it to deep cover for a single.

Tossed up, on off. Chandimal plays it back to the bowler.

Pushed in quicker around off. Chandimal drives it to short cover again.

Short and wide outside off. Chandimal cuts it to deep cover for a single.

Shorter length again, around off. Nissanka slaps it to long off for a single.

Slightly shorter and outside off. Chandimal chops it to point.

FOUR! Good shot! A length ball, around off. Mendis late cuts it to third man for a boundary.

Back of a length, on off. Mendis looks to work it towards the on side. He gets the leading edge but ball falls short of the bowler.

A good short ball this time on middle. Mendis ducks under it.

A fuller delivery and down the leg side. Mendis lets it go as it is way down the leg side.

Back of a length, around off. Mendis cuts it to point this time.

SIX! What a shot! Shorter delivery around ,middle. Mendis goes deep in his crease and pulls it sailing over backward square leg for a biggie.

OUT! CHOPPED ON! Kamindu Mendis departs after hitting a six off the last ball. Richard Ngarava gets his revenge. Back of  a length, around off. Mendis looks to late cut it but the ball nips back in sharply and catches the inside edge of his blade. The ball shatters the stumps and Kamindu Mendis after looking so good has to depart.

A flatter delivery on off. Nissanaka pushes it to sweeper cover for a single.

A fuller delivery on middle. Mendis clips it to mid-wicket for a single.

A fuller delivery again. Nissanka eases down to long on for a single.

A flatter delivery on leg. Mendis works it square on the leg side for a single.

Nicely tossed up delivery on off. Pathum Nissanka drives it to covers. Spinners are key here.

Tossed up delivery on off. Nissanka backs away and drives straight to short cover.

A length delivery outside off. Menids looks to cut it but misses.

Back of a length, on off. Mendis plays this off the back foot towards the bowler.

Angling on the middle again. Mendis clips it towards mid-wicket and gets a couple.

A length ball, around off. Mendis pushes this towards cover-point. Dot ball.

Tight line again on off. A length delivery and Mendis blocks it out solidly.

Richard Ngarava goes fuller on middle. Kamindu Mendis drives it to mid on this time. Dot ball again. Good over by Richard Ngarava. Sri Lanka need 231 runs more. They just need to build partnerships here.

Slightly shorter on off. Nissanka pushes this off the back foot to long off for a single.

A fuller delivery on middle. Mendis works it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Shorter length, on off. Nissanka punches this off the back foot to backward point for a single.

On the pads this time. Mendis works it to backward square leg.

TWO WIDES!  Down the leg side again. Mendis looks to clip it but misses. The keeper fails to collect it cleanly and the batters run a bye behind him.

Flatter on middle. Nissanka plays it back to the bowler.

Slightly shorter on off. Nissanka pushes it back to the bowler again.

 Short of a length, on off. Nissanka hops and defends it off the inner half onto the deck.

FOUR! Just over point! It looked like the fielder there got some finger-tips! A length ball, outside off. Nissanka slashes it hard and over point, it also beats the fielder running to his right in the deep. Boundary. 

On middle, this is hit to square leg for a single.

Length and on off. Mendis is hurried as he pulls to mid-wicket. One.

Extra bounce and extra pace there. Length ball, angling outside off. Pathum Nissanka has a poke at it but misses.

Leg bye! Fuller ball, on middle. Pathum Nissanka misses his flick and gets hit on the pads. An appeal for LBW but that was pitching outside leg. 

Length and on off. Mendis plays it to third man for a single.

 Another single as this is guided to third man. 

 Length ball, on off. Mendis chops it to backward point. 

 Fuller ball, on middle, flicked to mid-wicket.

Around off, this is hit to covers.

Four dots to end then! Length and on middle, tucked away to mid-wicket.

Full and angling on the pads, this is flicked wide of deep square leg for a couple.

Pathum Nissanka blocks this out solidly.

Fuller length and outside off. Nissanka punches it to the left of the bowler.

FOUR! Timing! A length ball, way outside off. Nissanka rocks back and slaps it through cover-point for a boundary.

FOUR! Two in a row! Pathum Nissanka now taking the charge! Short in length, on middle. Nissanka rides the bounce and pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary. 50 up for Sri Lanka.

Length and outside off, cut away to point. 

Length and on off. Nissanka chops it to third man for a single.

Angles it on a length, on off. Defended.

FOUR! Wow, pierces through the gap! Short of a length, on middle. Kusal Mendis pulls, does not power it but just drags it through mid-wicket for a boundary. 

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Zimbabwe get the breakthrough and it is of Kusal Mendis who was looking so good. Credit to Blessing Muzarabani, he uses his height as he generates some extra bounce here. On a length, outside off. Kusal Mendis looks to cut but gets a faint outside edge to the keeper who pouches it comfortably. Zimbabwe will feel a bit relaxed now.

Bangs a short one, on middle. Kamindu Mendis sits under it.

Length and on off. Defended out.

A length ball, outside off, Mendis pushes it nicely but straight to cover.

Length ball, outside off. Mendis taps it to point. 

On off, a fuller length, this is pushed to mid off with soft hands.

FOUR! Sublime! It feels like the pitch has almost flattened up and it is coming very nicely on the blade, Taking away nothing from how good these two have started! A length ball, outside off. Mendis threads it through point for a boundary. 

On middle. Blocked out. 

FOUR! Yet another boundary and with class all over it! A full ball, on middle. Kusal Mendis plants his front foot out, not big but just enough for it to push wide of mid on for a boundary. Beautiful shot. 

A length ball, drifting on middle and leg. Nissanka clips it to fine leg for a single.

Short and wide outside off. Mendis cuts it hard but straight to Ryan Burl at point.

Good running! A length ball, on off. Mendis defends it with soft hands towards the off side and call straightaway for a single. They get the single easily in the end.

A length ball, on off. Nissanka blocks this off the back foot.

A length ball, around off. Nissanka drives this off the outer half of his blade to point.

FOUR! A boundary to end the over! Class written all over it! Blessing Muzarabani goes fuller on middle. Pathum Nissanka leans forward and presents the full face of his blade. The ball races past the diving mid on fielder for a boundary. This has been a good start for Sri Lanka.

On a length, on off. Mendis blocks it solidly from his crease.

FOUR! Beautifully played! An overpitched delivery on middle. Mendis leans forward and flicks it through mid-wicket for a boundary. Uses his wrists to a good effect.

FOUR! Short and wide, Mendis punishes it! Chatara bowls this shorter outside off. Mendis stays deep in his crease and cuts it through backward point for a boundary.

A length ball, on off. Mendis blocks it solidly this time off the back foot.

WIDE! Short and wider outside off. Mendis lets it go as it is too wide.

Tendai Chatara goes fuller on off. Mendis defends this off the front froot.

Back of a length, on off. Mendis defends this off the back foot to point. Steady start for Sri Lanka.

A length ball, drifting on the pads. Nissanka clips it to square leg for a single. Good fielding there.

Quick single! Back of a length, on middle. Mendis works it to mid-wicket and sets off for a single. The fielder collects it and has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. A single taken.

Back of a length, on middle. Nissanka rides the bounce and pushes it towards the leg side.

Slightly fuller on off. Nissanka looks to drive but gets the inside edge onto his pads.

A shorter length delivery on off. Nissanka pulls it to square leg.

Another back-of-a-length delivery on off to end the over. Nissanka rides the bounce and blocks it towards the off side.

On a length and a bit of away shape there. Mendis plays it late towards the point fielder.

FOUR! Short ball and punished! Mendis is off the mark in his comeback innings with a superb shot. Back of a length, outside off. Mendis stays deep in his crease and cuts it through covers for a boundary.

On a length, on off. Mendis blocks it off the back foot. This one stays little low and hits the bottom of the blade.

Back of a length, around off. Mendis dabs it to backward point.

Finally a fuller delivery, on off. Mendis drives it to mid off.

This one nips back in a little. A length delivery on off. Mendis looks to defend but the ball nips back in and hits him high on the pads.

Blessing Muzarabani starts with a back-of-a-length delivery on off. Nissanka blocks it solidly off the back foot.

On a length and angling into middle. Nissanka defends it onto the turf again.

Blessing Muzarabani hits the length hard yet again and bowls this on middle. Nissanka hops and works it past square leg for a couple. Sri Lanka and Pathum Nissanka are underway.

Back of a length, on off. Nissanka blocks this off the back foot again.

Short and some width offer this time. Nissanka cuts it straight to the point fielder.

FOUR! What a shot! Back of a length, outside off. Nissanka stays upright in his crease and drives it on the up through covers for a lovely boundary. First boundary of the innings.