Pathum Nissanka Shines With Unbeaten 98 as Sri Lanka Beat Zimbabwe
Pathum Nissanka starred with an unbeaten 98 off 58 balls to guide Sri Lanka to a nine-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the T20 tri-series, securing their first win of the tournament. Nissanka’s aggressive knock, featuring four sixes and 11 boundaries, helped Sri Lanka chase 146-5 comfortably, reaching 148-1 with 22 balls to spare.
Dominant Opening Stand
Opening with Kusal Mendis, who scored 25 not out, Nissanka shared an 89-run partnership off 64 balls, setting the foundation for Sri Lanka’s dominant win. The Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka praised his side’s confidence and bowling execution, highlighting Maheesh Theekshana’s impactful performance.
Nissanka’s Aggression Against Pace and Spin
Nissanka attacked the pace bowlers while exercising caution against spinners like Sikandar Raza, who bowled tightly in the middle overs. Sri Lanka scored a brisk 59 in the batting powerplay, though Kamil Mishara was dismissed for 12 by a spectacular tumbling catch from Wellington Masakadza at mid-wicket.
Zimbabwe’s Bowling Struggles
Zimbabwe’s fast bowlers conceded heavily in the powerplay. Richard Ngarava gave away 44 runs in 3.2 overs, Brad Evans conceded 36 for the wicket of Mishara, and Tinotenda Maposa was also expensive early on. In contrast, Theekshana provided breakthroughs, taking 2-23 by clean bowling Tadiwanashe Marumani and Dion Myers cheaply.
Spin Dominance by Hasaranga
Spin bowler Wanindu Hasaranga continued Sri Lanka’s dominance, dismissing Brian Bennett via hit wicket after the batter overreached into his crease. Hasaranga also removed Sikandar Raza, who made 37 off 29 balls, before the death overs. Zimbabwe’s Ryan Burl scored 37 not out off 26 balls, but the total proved insufficient against Sri Lanka’s strong batting.
Sri Lanka’s Position Ahead of the Final
Sri Lanka now faces Pakistan in a crucial match to determine who advances to the final. With Pakistan already securing a spot with three consecutive wins, Sri Lanka must win against the hosts to keep their hopes alive, while Zimbabwe relies on net run-rate to qualify.
Captain’s Reflections
Dasun Shanaka highlighted his team’s balanced approach, praising both bowling and batting contributions. Sikandar Raza admitted that Zimbabwe’s powerplay execution and overall bowling were below par, emphasizing that Sri Lanka’s performance has put them in a strong position for the final.
Key Takeaways
Pathum Nissanka’s unbeaten 98 underlines his ability to anchor the innings while accelerating when required, showcasing his temperament and adaptability in T20 cricket. With Sri Lanka now in contention for the final, his performance will be crucial in the remaining group-stage matches.
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