Rain gods favored Zimbabwe in the first ODI of the three-match series against Sri Lanka. Zimbabwe got off to a poor start while chasing down 274 runs and were 12/2 in four overs when rain interrupted the match and hence never really stopped, due to which the match had to be called off. The Zimbabwean have not been in top form off late but showed good bowling skills during the first innings.
Batting first at the R Premadasa Stadium, Sri Lanka were restricted to 273/9 by a young Zimbabwean bowling attack. The Sri Lankan team didn’t start off well as they lost its first wicket in the very first over in the name of Avishka Fernando for a duck. Richard Ngarava was the culprit behind the early blow to the hosts.
Rain saves Zimbabwe in Colombo
However, the duo of Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama put up 63 runs for the second wicket and tried to bring Sri Lanka back into the match. However, Richard Ngarava put a break on the partnership when he removed Samarawickrama for 41 runs off 31 balls in the ninth over.
Janith Liyanage then tried to stitch a partnership with Kusal Mendis and added 48 runs for the third wicket. However, Liyanage’s stint at the crease lasted for just 34 balls and he was removed by Faraz Akram for 24 runs. Kusal Mendis was looking at one end, but he also lost concentration and his innings ended at 46 runs courtesy of a run out from Sikandar Raza.
After the departure of the top four, Charith Asalanka proved to be the real storm for Zimbabwe as he hit 101 runs off 95 balls with five fours and four sixes. Asalanka added necessary runs with Sahan Arachige (11), Dasun Shanaka (8), Maheesh Theekshana (10) and Dushmantha Chameera (18).
At last, Charith Asalanka’s innings was ended by a run out by Clive Madande, whereas Jefferey Vandersay and Dilshan Madushanka were unbeaten at 3 runs respectively. At last, Sri Lanka could only reach 273/9 and it was a decent bowling performance by Zimbabwe.
Rain: 1, Game: 0. Play has been called off! ?#SLvZIM pic.twitter.com/hPrA8Vn29c
— Sri Lanka Cricket ?? (@OfficialSLC) January 6, 2024
Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, and Faraz Akram picked up two wickets whereas Sikandar Raza ended the innings with one wicket.
Chasing down the target, Zimbabwe were given a double blow by Dilshan Madushanka as he removed Tinashe Kamunhukamwe and skipper Craig Ervine for a duck and Zimbabwe were reduced to 5/2. However, the visitors were saved by rain when they had just added 12 runs for the loss of 2 wickets on the board in 4 overs.
The rain never really stopped and at last, the match had to be called with the next match all set to be played on January 8 at the same R Premadasa Stadium.
Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka both are not in great form in recent times and have gone through a lean patch in the last few times. Sri Lanka on one end displayed a below-average performance at the 2023 ODI World Cup, Zimbabwe were not able to make it through to the 2024 T20 World Cup after finishing third in the Africa region qualifier.
Zimbabwe are playing under new coach Walter Chawaguta, and with the kind of bowling performance they showed, they will certainly prove to be a tough challenge for Sri Lanka.
Brief Scores: Sri Lanka 273/9 (Charith Asalanka 101; Richard Ngarava 2/39)
Zimbabwe 12/2 (Milton Shubma 2*: Dilshan Madushanka 2/0)