By M. Shamil Amit

Half-centuries from opener Pathum Nissanka, Dinesh Chandimal and Charith Asalanka paved the way for Sri Lanka to record an emphatic five-wicket win against Zimbabwe in the 1st ODI of the three-match series played at the Pallekele International Stadium on Sunday.

The trio made Sri Lanka’s challenging run chase of 297 look easy, as the hosts reached the target in the 49th over to complete the highest ODI run chase at the venue.

Young Nissanka continued his top batting form when he made a 71-ball knock of 75 which had ten boundaries while Chandimal made 75 in 91 balls inclusive of four boundaries and a six. 

Aslanka made 71 in 68 balls with six boundaries and a six.

After a 40-run partnership between openers Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis, Nissanka shared a 41-run stand for the second wicket with Kamindu Mendis. Then, along with Chandimal, Nissanka help post the next 66 runs.

Asalanka and Chandimal then frustrated the Zimbabwe bowlers and scoring at almost a run a ball – 129 runs in 130 balls for the fourth wicket – though neither could take Sri Lanka over the line. They were dismissed in the 46th and 48th overs, but the foundation had well and truly been laid for Sri Lanka’s win with skipper Dasun Shanaka and Chamika Karunaratne remaining unbeaten.

Earlier, Zimbabwe skipper Craig Ervine opted to bat first, and openers Takudzwanashe Kaitano and Regis Chakabva gave them a flying start with an 80-run partnership, before they were separated with the dismissal of Kaitano who made 42.

Chakabva associated in two valuable partnerships, first with skipper Ervine for 30 runs for the second wicket, followed by a 50-run stand for the third wicket with Sean Williams before becoming spinner Jeffrey Vandersay’s second victim having made 72 in 81 balls that included six boundaries and a six.

From there on Williams took control as he sent the Sri Lankan bowlers on a leather hunt as he reached his half ton in 55 balls with Zimbabwe sitting pretty on 201 for 3 in 37th over.

Williams continued to torment the Sri Lankan bowlers as Zimbabwe reached 250 in the 45th over. Chamika Karunaratne’s ninth over went in for severe punishment as he conceded 16 runs with Williams racing to his ton in 86 balls.

In fact, Williams’ second fifty came in only 31 balls, with Zimbabwe, who had taken 37 overs to make 200, plundering 96 runs in the remaining 13 overs.

Scoreboard
Zimbabwe innings
T Kaitano lbw b Vandersay 42
R Chakabva c Kusal Mendis b Vandersay 72
C Ervine b Kamindu Mendis 09
S Williams b Karunaratne 100
W Madhevere b Karunaratne 20
S Raza lbw b Pradeep 18
R Burl c Shanaka b Pradeep 04
W Masakadza run out 06
B Muzarabani b Karunaratne 03
T Chatara not out 01
R Ngarava not out 10
Extras (lb2, nb1, w8) 11
Total (9 wickets; 50 overs) 296
Fall of Wickets – 1-80, 2-110, 3-160, 4-202, 5-248, 6-252, 7-269, 8-285, 9-286.
Bowling – N Pradeep 10-1-54-2, C Gunasekera 1-0-8-0, M Theekshana 10-0-40-0, D Shanaka 4-0-34-0, C Karunaratne 10-1-69-3, J Vandersay 6-0-44-2, Kamindu Mendis 6-0-32-1, C Asalanka 3-0-13-0

Sri Lanka innings
P Nissanka c Chakabva b Raza 75
Kusal Mendis c Chakabva b Muzarabani 26
Kamindu Mendis b Ngarava 17
D Chandimal c Ervine b Ngarava 75
C Asalanka lbw b Ngarava 71
D Shanaka not out 10
C Karunaratne not out 05
Extras (b4, lb2, w14) 20
Total (5 wickets: 48.4 overs) 299
Fall of wickets – 1-40, 2-81, 3-147, 4-276
Bowling - B Muzarabani 9.4-0-57-1, T Chatara 9-0-56-0, R Ngarava 9-0-56-3, W Masakadza 6-0-29-0, R Burl 1-0-12-0, S Williams 8-0-43-0, S Raza 4-0-23-1, W Madhevere 2-0-17-0

Main photo: Dinesh Chandimal was named Man of the Match (Pic courtesy SLC)